105th Congress (1997 - 1998)
January 7 - December 15, 1997
House Committee Meetings by Date
Compiled from the Congressional Record's Daily Digests via Thomas at thomas.loc.gov
1997/01/07
Daily Digest, Tuesday, January 7, 1997; pages D1 - D26
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/01/09
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 9, 1997; pages D27 - D32
Committee Meetings
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Agriculture: On January 8, the Committee met for organizational
purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on House Oversight: On January 8, the Committee met for
organizational purposes.
[Page: D31]
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Rules: On January 8, the Committee met for organizational
purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Transportation: On January 8, the Committee met for
organizational purposes.
IN THE MATTER OF REPRESENTATIVE NEWT GINGRICH
Select Committee on Ethics: On January 8, the Committee met in executive
session to consider scheduling of sanction hearings in the matter of
Representative Gingrich.
1997/01/20
Daily Digest - Monday, January 20, 1997; pages D34 - D36
Committee Meetings
IN THE MATTER OF REPRESENTATIVE GINGRICH
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: On January 17, the Committee met
in executive session and, by a vote of 7-1, recommended the following in the
matter of Representative Gingrich: a reprimand for violating a rule of the
House; and a $300,000 cost assessment to reimburse the committee for the
investigation.
Prior to this action, the Committee held a hearing on this matter. Testimony
was heard from James M. Cole, Special Counsel to the Committee and J. Randolph
Evans, Counsel to Representative Gingrich.
1997/01/21
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 21, 1997; pages D37 - D40
Committee Meetings
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Commerce: Met for organizational purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Met for organizational purposes.
OVERSIGHT--STATUS OF EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY PERSIAN GULF WAR SYNDROME
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
and Intergovernmental Relations held an oversight hearing on the status of
efforts to identify the Persian Gulf War syndrome. Testimony was heard from
Donald Curtis, M.D., member, Presidential Advisory Committee on PGW Veterans'
Illnesses; Kenneth Kizer, M.D., Under Secretary, Health, Department of
Veterans Affairs; Bernard Rostker, Special Assistant, PGW Illnesses,
Department of Defense; and public witnesses.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Met for organizational purposes.
The Committee also approved oversight reports.D39
1997/01/22
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 22, 1997; pages D41 - D44
Committee Meetings
TERM LIMITS--MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing
regarding limiting terms of office for Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S.
House of Representatives. Testimony was heard from Senator Thompson;
Representatives McCollum, Dingell, Fowler, and Barton of Texas; and public
witnesses.
1997/01/23
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 23, 1997; pages D46 - D48
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/01/27
Daily Digest - Monday, January 27, 1997; pages D49 - D50
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/01/28
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 28, 1997; pages D52 - D56
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/01/29
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 29, 1997; pages D57 - D59
Committee Meetings
OVERSIGHT--HEALTH THREAT POSED BY TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
and Intergovernmental Relations held an oversight hearing on recent steps by
the FDA and other federal agencies to address the health threat posed by
transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), including so-called "Mad Cow
Disease." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Health and Human Services: Michael Friedman, M.D., Deputy Commissioner,
FDA; Lawrence B. Schonberger, M.D., Assistant Director, Public Health,
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious
Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Clarence J. Gibbs,
Jr., Acting Chief, Laboratory of Central Nervous System Studies, National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH; Linda Detwiler, Chair,
TSE Working Group, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; and
public witnesses.
1997/01/30
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 30, 1997; pages D61 - D66
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/02/03
Daily Digest - Monday, February 3, 1997; pages D68 - D70
Committee Meetings
HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES
Committee on International Relations: On January 31, the Committee held a
hearing on Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996. Testimony was
heard from John Shattuck, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights and Labor, Department of State; and public witnesses.
PROPOSED BALANCED BUDGET CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on proposed Balanced Budget
Constitutional Amendments. Testimony was heard from Representatives Stenholm,
Cox of California, Sabo, and Wise; Robert E. Rubin, Secretary of the Treasury;
and public witnesses.
1997/02/04
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 4, 1997; pages D72 - D77
Committee Meetings
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative held a hearing on the
U.S. House of Representatives. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the House of Representatives: Jeff Trandahl, Acting Chief
Administrative Officer; Robin H. Carle, Clerk; Wilson S. Livingood, Sergeant
at Arms; John W. Lainhart IV, Inspector General; John R. Miller, Acting Law
Revision Counsel; David E. Meade, Legislative Counsel; and John F. Eisold,
M.D., Attending Physician.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on the Budget: Met for organizational purposes.
The Committee also approved an oversight plan for the 105th Congress.
DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families held a hearing on H.R. 5, to amend the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, to reauthorize and make improvements to that act.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Education: Judy Heumann, Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services; and Thomas Bloom, Inspector General; and public
witnesses.
Hearings continue February 6.
TERM LIMITS--MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, without recommendation, H.J.
Res. 2, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with
respect to the number of terms of office of Members of the Senate and the
House of Representatives.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health met for organizational
purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight met for organizational
purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade met for organizational
purposes.
1997/02/05
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 5, 1997; pages D79 - D84
Committee Meetings
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Appropriations: Met for organizational purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Met for organizational purposes.
"WHY THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT IS GOOD FOR AMERICANS"
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on "Why the Balanced Budget Amendment
is Good for Americans." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
"CELLULAR PRIVACY: IS ANYONE LISTENING? YOU BETCHA!"
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on "Cellular Privacy: Is Anyone Listening? You
Betcha!" Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Justice: James K. Kallstrom, Assistant Director in Charge, New York Division,
FBI; and Robert S. Litt, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division;
William Kennard, General Counsel, FCC; and public witnesses.
WORKING FAMILIES FLEXIBILITY ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing on H.R. 1, Working Families Flexibility Act of
1997. Testimony was heard from Representatives Granger, Myrick and Fowler; and
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on International Relations: By unanimous consent adopted a motion
urging the Chairman to request that S. Con. Res. 4, commending and thanking
Honorable Warren Christopher for his exemplary service as Secretary of State,
be considered on the Suspension Calendar.
The Committee also approved a resolution to be introduced in appreciation of
the late Pamela Harriman, Ambassador to France.
The Committee also met for organizational purposes.
BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Began markup of H.J. Res. 1, proposing an
amendment to the Constitution to provide for a balanced budget for the U.S.
Government and for greater accountability in the enactment of tax legislation.
Will continue February 11.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on National Security: Met for organizational purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Resources: Met for organizational purposes.
TRUTH IN BUDGETING ACT; OVERSIGHT PLAN
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported H.R. 4, Truth
in Budgeting Act.
The Committee also approved an oversight plan for the 105th Congress.
USER FEES FOR FAA SERVICES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on Airlines' Proposals to Establish User Fees for FAA Services.
Testimony was heard from John H. Anderson, Jr., Director, Transportation
Issues, Resources, Community and Economic Development Division, GAO; and
public witnesses.
Hearings continue February 13.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Met for organizational purposes.
AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND SOLVENCY; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the solvency of the Airport and
Airway Trust Fund. Testimony was heard from Donald C. Lubick, Assistant
Secretary, Tax Policy, Department of the Treasury; and Louise F. Stoll,
Assistant Secretary, Budget and Programs, Department of Transportation.
The Committee also met for organizational purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources met for
organizational purposes.
1997/02/06
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 6, 1997; pages D86 - D90
Committee Meetings
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Appropriations: Met for organizational purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Met for organizational purposes.
"WHY THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT IS GOOD FOR AMERICANS"
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on "Why the Balanced Budget Amendment
is Good for Americans." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
"CELLULAR PRIVACY: IS ANYONE LISTENING? YOU BETCHA!"
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on "Cellular Privacy: Is Anyone Listening? You
Betcha!" Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Justice: James K. Kallstrom, Assistant Director in Charge, New York Division,
FBI; and Robert S. Litt, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division;
William Kennard, General Counsel, FCC; and public witnesses.
WORKING FAMILIES FLEXIBILITY ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing on H.R. 1, Working Families Flexibility Act of
1997. Testimony was heard from Representatives Granger, Myrick and Fowler; and
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on International Relations: By unanimous consent adopted a motion
urging the Chairman to request that S. Con. Res. 4, commending and thanking
Honorable Warren Christopher for his exemplary service as Secretary of State,
be considered on the Suspension Calendar.
The Committee also approved a resolution to be introduced in appreciation of
the late Pamela Harriman, Ambassador to France.
The Committee also met for organizational purposes.
BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Began markup of H.J. Res. 1, proposing an
amendment to the Constitution to provide for a balanced budget for the U.S.
Government and for greater accountability in the enactment of tax legislation.
Will continue February 11.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on National Security: Met for organizational purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Resources: Met for organizational purposes.
TRUTH IN BUDGETING ACT; OVERSIGHT PLAN
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported H.R. 4, Truth
in Budgeting Act.
The Committee also approved an oversight plan for the 105th Congress.
USER FEES FOR FAA SERVICES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on Airlines' Proposals to Establish User Fees for FAA Services.
Testimony was heard from John H. Anderson, Jr., Director, Transportation
Issues, Resources, Community and Economic Development Division, GAO; and
public witnesses.
Hearings continue February 13.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Met for organizational purposes.
AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND SOLVENCY; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the solvency of the Airport and
Airway Trust Fund. Testimony was heard from Donald C. Lubick, Assistant
Secretary, Tax Policy, Department of the Treasury; and Louise F. Stoll,
Assistant Secretary, Budget and Programs, Department of Transportation.
The Committee also met for organizational purposes.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources met for
organizational purposes.
1997/02/07
Daily Digest - Friday, February 7, 1997; pages D92 - D96
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/02/10
Daily Digest - Monday, February 10, 1997; pages D97 - D100
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/02/11
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 11, 1997; pages D101 - D108
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
the Health Care Financing Administration and the Agency for Health Care Policy
and Research. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Health and Human Services: Donna E. Shalala, Secretary; Bruce C.
Vladeck, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration; and Clifton R.
Gaus, Administrator, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative held a hearing on the
CBO, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Office of Compliance, the Joint Committee on
Printing, the GPO, and the GAO. Testimony was heard from Senator Warner; June
E. O'Neill, Director, CBO; Gregory S. Casey, Sergeant At Arms, U.S. Senate;
Wilson Livingood, Sergeant at Arms, U.S. House of Representatives; Alan M.
Hantman, Architect of the Capitol; Gary L. Abrecht, Chief, U.S. Capitol
Police; the following officials of the Office of Compliance: Virginia Seitz,
member of the Board; R. Gaull Silberman, Executive Director; and Dennis Duffy,
General Counsel; the following officials of the GPO: Michael F. DiMario,
Public Printer; Wayne P. Kelley, Superintendent of Documents; William M. Guy,
Budget Officer; and Charles C. Cook, Superintendent, Congressional Printing
Management Division; and James F. Hinchman, Acting Comptroller General, GAO.
[Page: D105]
FINANCIAL SERVICES MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial
Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing on Financial Services
Modernization legislation including H.R. 268, Depository Institution
Affiliation and Thrift Charter Conversion Act. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
Hearings continue February 13.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Administration's Budget for
Fiscal Year 1998. Testimony was heard from Franklin D. Raines, Director, OMB.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY--PROPOSED BUDGET
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a oversight
hearing on the Department of Energy's proposed budget for fiscal year 1998.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy:
Charles B. Curtis, Acting Secretary; Kyle Simpson, Assistant Deputy Secretary;
and Alvin L. Alm, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management.
ARMORED CAR RECIPROCITY AMENDMENTS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection approved for full Committee action H.R. 624, Armored Car
Reciprocity Amendments of 1997.
Prior to this action, the subcommittee held a hearing on this measure.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
REFORM--MAJOR FEDERAL JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning held a hearing on Reform of the
Major Federal Job Training Programs. Testimony was heard from John Engler,
Governor, State of Michigan; and David Steele, Senator, State of Utah; William
A. Johnson, Jr., Mayor, Rochester, New York; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE; OVERSIGHT PLAN; AND COMMITTEE BUDGET
Committee on House Oversight: Ordered reported H. Con. Res. 11, permitting the
use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration
of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.
The Committee also approved the following for the l05th Congress: oversight
plan; and committee budget.
ADMINISTRATION'S INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET REQUEST; OVERSIGHT PLAN
Committee on International Affairs: Held a hearing on the Administration's
International Affairs Budget request for fiscal year 1998. Testimony was heard
from Madeleine K. Albright, Secretary of State.
Prior to the hearing, the Committee approved an oversight plan for the 105th
Congress.
OVERSIGHT--ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND IMMIGRANT RESPONSIBILITY ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held an
oversight hearing regarding Title III of the Illegal Immigration Reform and
Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Testimony was heard from Paul W. Virtue,
Acting Executive Associate Commissioner, Programs, Immigration and
Naturalization Service, Department of Justice.
PERSIAN GULF WAR ILLNESSES
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a
hearing on the status of the investigation into Persian Gulf War illnesses.
Testimony was heard from Elaine Larsen, member, Presidential Advisory
Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; and the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Bernard Rostker, Assistant Secretary, Manpower and
Reserve Affairs and Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses; and Stephen
Joseph, M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs.
TERM LIMITS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT; OVERSIGHT PLAN; COMMITTEE BUDGET
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified closed rule providing 2
hours of debate on H.J. Res. 2, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of
the United States with respect to the Constitution of the United States with
respect to the number of terms of office of Members of the Senate and the
House of Representatives.
The rule makes in order only those amendments in the nature of a substitute
printed in the report of the Committee on Rules. The rule provides that each
amendment may be offered only in the order D106specified in the report, may be
offered only by the member specified, 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.
[Page: D106]
The rule provides that if more than one amendment is adopted, then only the
one receiving the most affirmative votes is considered as adopted; in the case
of a tie, the last such amendment is adopted. The rule provides that the
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may postpone a request for a recorded
vote on any amendment, and reduce to five minutes the voting time on the
second and subsequent votes in a series. Finally, the rule provides one motion
to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Hyde, Representatives McCollum, Inglis, Hutchinson, Petri, Hefley, Fowler,
Christensen, Graham, Sanford, Blunt, Gibbons, Frank of Massachusetts, Scott,
Jackson-Lee of Texas, and Dingell.
Prior to this action, the Committee approved the following for the 105th
Congress: oversight plan; and the committee budget.
FAMILY PLANNING FACILITATION AND ABORTION FUNDING RESTRICTION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 581, Family Planning Facilitation and Abortion Funding
Restriction Act of 1997, equally divided and controlled by Representative
Smith of New Jersey or his designee and a Member opposed to the bill. The rule
also provides one motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Smith of New Jersey, Oberstar, Pelosi, and Lowey.
BRIEFING--SECURE COMMUNICATIONS
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a briefing on Secure
Communications. The Subcommittee was briefed by public witnesses.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS--PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON GULF WAR
ILLNESSES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing to review the findings and
recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Gulf War Veterans'
illnesses. Testimony was heard from Maj. Marguerite Knox, committee member,
Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Philip K.
Russell, M.D., member, Committee to Review the Health Consequences of Service
During the Persian Gulf War, Institute of Medicine; Thomas Garthwaite, M.D.,
Deputy Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans' Affairs; the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Stephen Joseph, M.D., Assistant
Secretary, Health Affairs; and Bernard Rostker, Special Assistant to the
Deputy Secretary for Gulf War Illnesses; Richard Jackson, M.D., Director,
National Center for Environmental Health, Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; representatives of
veterans organizations; and public witnesses.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Administration's fiscal
year 1998 Budget. Testimony was heard from Robert E. Rubin, Secretary of the
Treasury.
1997/02/12
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 12, 1997; pages D110 - D116
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Inspector
General Overview. Testimony was heard from Roger C. Viadero, Inspector
General, USDA.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs hearing on Secretary of State. Testimony was
heard from Madeleine K. Albright, Secretary of State.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, the Office of the Inspector General, and on the Health
Resources and Services Administration. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Nelba Chavez,
Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; June
Gibbs Brown, Inspector General; and Ciro V. Sumaya, M.D., Administrator,
Health Resources and Services Administration.
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative held a hearing on
Joint Economic Committee, the Library of Congress, the Architect of the
Capitol/Botanic Garden. Testimony was heard from Representative Saxton; the
following officials of the Library of Congress: James H. Billington,
Librarian; Donald L. Scott, Deputy Librarian; Winston Tabb, Associate
Librarian for Library Services; Reuben Medina, Law Librarian; Daniel
Mulhollan, Director, D114CRS; and Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; Alan M. Hantman, Architect
of the Capitol; Members of Congress; and public witnesses.
[Page: D114]
OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROPOSED BUDGET
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held an
oversight hearing on the Department of Health and Human Services' proposed
budget for fiscal year 1998. Testimony was heard from Bruce C. Vladeck,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and
Human Services; and Paul N. Van de Water, Assistant Director, Budget Analysis,
CBO.
SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT POLICY
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on Spectrum Management Policy. Testimony was heard
from Reed E. Hundt, Chairman, FCC; Larry Irving, Assistant Secretary,
Communications and Information, Department of Commerce; Michael Amarosa,
Deputy Commissioner, Police Department, City of New York; and public
witnesses.
ENCOURAGING PENSION SAVINGS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-Employee
Relations held a hearing on Defusing the Retirement Timebomb: Encouraging
Pension Savings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
GOVERNMENT RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE ACT; ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Held a hearing on the
"Government Performance and Results Act: Sensible Government for the Next
Century". Testimony was heard from Representative Armey; John Koskinen, Deputy
Director, Management, OMB; and James Hinchman, Acting Comptroller General,
GAO.
The committee also met for organizational purposes.
OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade held a hearing on the Future of the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC). Testimony was heard from Representatives Kolbe
and Andrews; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--FBI INVESTIGATION INTO BOMBING IN SAUDI ARABIA
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held an oversight hearing on
the FBI investigation into the Khobar Towers bombing in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
and on Foreign FBI Investigations. Testimony was heard from Robert M. Bryant,
Assistant Director, National Security Division, FBI, Department of Justice.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Held a hearing on the fiscal year 1998
national defense authorization request. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: William S. Cohen, Secretary; and Gen.
John M. Shalikashvili, USA, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
INTERNATIONAL SPACE PROGRAM
Committee on Science: Held a hearing on the Status of Russian Participation in
the International Space Program. Testimony was heard from John H. Gibbons,
Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy; Daniel S. Goldin,
Administrator, NASA; and Marcia S. Smith, Specialist in Aerospace and
Telecommunications Policy, CRS, Library of Congress.
ISTEA REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation held a hearing on ISTEA Comprehensive Reauthorization
Proposals: ISTEA Integrity Restoration Act (STEP 21), Transportation
Empowerment Act (Devolution), ISTEA Works. Testimony was heard from Senator
Mack; Representatives Kasich, Smith of Michigan, DeLay, and Condit; Paul E.
Patton, Governor, State of Kentucky; and Christine Todd Whitman, Governor,
State of New Jersey.
Hearings continue February 27.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET
Committee on Ways and Means: Continued hearings on the Administration's fiscal
year 1998 Budget. Testimony was heard from Donna E. Shalala, Secretary of
Health and Human Services.
AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND TAX REINSTATEMENT ACT; OVERSIGHT PLAN
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported H.R. 668, Airport and Airway
Trust Fund Tax Reinstatement Act of 1997.
The Committee also approved an oversight plan for the 105th Congress.
1997/02/13
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 13, 1997; pages D118 - D124
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the Administration for Children and Families and the
Administration on Aging, Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Health and Human Services: David Satcher, M.D., Director,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Olivia Golden, Administrator,
Children, Youth and Families; and Robyn I. Stone, Acting Assistant Secretary
for Aging.
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative held a hearing on the
Joint Committee on Taxation. Testimony was heard from Representative Archer.
[Page: D122]
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in
executive session to hold a briefing on the World Situation Update. The
subcommittee was briefed by George Tenet, Acting Director, CIA; and Lt. Gen.
Patrick M. Hughes, USA, Director, DIA, Department of Defense.
FINANCIAL SERVICES MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial
Institutions and Consumer Credit continued hearings on Financial Services
Modernization legislation including H.R. 268, Depository Institution
Affiliation and Thrift Charter Conversion Act. Testimony was heard from Alan
Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; the following
officials of the Department of the Treasury: Eugene A. Ludwig, Comptroller of
the Currency; and John F. Downey, Executive Director, Supervision, Office of
Thrift Supervision; Ricki Helfer, Chairman, FDIC; and Arthur Levitt, Jr.,
Chairman, SEC.
CBO BUDGET OUTLOOK AND ANALYSIS
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on CBO Budget Outlook and Analysis of
the Administration's Budget Proposal. Testimony was heard from June E.
O'Neill, Director, CBO.
ARMORED CAR RECIPROCITY AMENDMENTS; COMMITTEE BUDGET AND OVERSIGHT PLAN
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported H.R. 624, Armored Car Reciprocity
Amendments of 1997.
The Committee also approved the Committee budget and an oversight plan for the
105th Congress.
OVERSIGHT PLAN; COMMITTEE BUDGET
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Approved an oversight plan and the
committee budget for the 105th Congress.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET: CIVIL SERVICE IMPACTS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Civil Service
held a hearing on the Administration's fiscal year 1998 budget: Civil Service
Impacts. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--GAO HIGH-RISK SERIES
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information and Technology held a hearing on "Oversight of the
GAO's High-Risk Series." Testimony was heard from Gene L. Dodaro, Assistant
Comptroller General, Accounting and Information Management Division, GAO.
RURAL HEALTH CLINIC PROGRAM
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
and Intergovernmental Relations held a hearing on the Need for Better Focus in
the Rural Health Clinic Program. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the GAO: Bernice Steinhardt, Director, Health Service Quality and
Public Health; and Frank Pasquier, Assistant Director--Health Issues, Seattle;
the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Kathy
Buto, Associate Administrator, Policy, Health Care Financing Administration;
Marilyn H. Gaston, M.D., Director, Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health
Resources and Services Administration; and George Grob, Deputy, Office of
Inspector General; and public witnesses.
SUPERFUND CLEAN-UP
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Economic Growth, Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing on
Superfund Clean-Up. Testimony was heard from Representatives Pallone and Mica;
the following officials of the GAO: Peter Guerrero, Director, Environmental
Protection Issues; Stanley Czerwinski, Associate Director and Jim Donagahy,
Assistant Director, both with the Resources, Community and Economic
Development Division; and Mitchell Karpman, Mathematical Statistician; Elliot
Laws, Assistant Administrator, Solid Waste and Emergency Response, EPA; and
public witnesses.
HONG KONG'S REVERSION TO PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on Hong Kong's Reversion to the People's Republic of China.
Testimony was heard from Jeffrey Bader, Deputy Assistant Secretary, East Asian
and Pacific Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
THREATS TO U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY
Committee on National Security: Held a hearing on threats to U.S. National
Security. Testimony was heard from the following former Directors of the CIA:
James Woolsey, William Webster, and James Schlesinger.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN
Committee on Small Business: Met for organizational purposes.
The Committee also approved an oversight plan for the 105th Congress.
[Page: D123]
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Met for organizational
purposes.
USER FEES FOR FAA SERVICES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation
continued hearings on Airlines' Proposals to Establish User Fees for FAA
Services. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET; OVERSIGHT PLAN
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on the Administration's fiscal
year 1998 budget. Testimony was heard from Jesse Brown, Secretary of Veterans
Affairs; Frank Q. Nebeker, Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals;
Preston M. Taylor, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and
Training, Department of Labor; Maj. Gen. John P. Herrling, USA (Ret.),
Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission; and H. Martin Lancasater,
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works).
The Committee also approved an oversight plan for the 105th Congress.
MEDICARE PROVISIONS OF ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare
provisions in the Administration's budget. Testimony was heard from Bruce C.
Vladeck, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration, Department of
Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET--HUMAN RESOURCES PROVISIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
the Human Resource provisions of the fiscal year 1998 Administration's budget.
Testimony was heard from Representative Smith of Texas; Olivia A. Golden,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Children and Families, Department of Health and
Human Services; Carolyn W. Colvin, Deputy Commissioner, Programs and Policy,
SSA; and public witnesses.
1997/02/24
Daily Digest - Monday, February 24, 1997; pages D125 - D130
Committee Meetings
NATIONAL CAPITAL REVITALIZATION AND SELF-GOVERNMENT IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: On February 20, the Subcommittee
on the District of Columbia held a hearing on the Administration's National
Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Plan. Testimony was
heard from Franklin D. Raines, Director, OMB.
GOVERNMENT COMPUTERS IN THE YEAR 2000
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Will Federal
Government Computers be Ready for the Year 2000?" Testimony was heard from
Joel C. Willemssen, Director, Accounting and Management Division, GAO; Liza
McClenaghan, Chief Information Officer, Department of State; Emmett Paige,
Assistant Secretary, Command, Control, Communications, Computers and
Intelligence, Department of Defense; Patricia Lattimore, Chief Information
Officer, Department of Labor; John J. Callahan, Chief Information Officer,
Department of Health and Human Services; Michael Huerta, Associate Deputy
Secretary, Acting Chief Information Officer, Department of Transportation; and
Mark D. Catlett, Chief Information Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.
U.S. COUNTERNARCOTICS ASSISTANCE TO COLOMBIA
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: On February 14, the Subcommittee
on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held a
hearing on U.S. Counternarcotics Assistance to Colombia. Testimony was heard
from Robert S. Gelbard, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics
and Law Enforcement Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
1997/02/25
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 25, 1997; pages D131 - D138
Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on Inspectors General for the Department of State and
Department of Commerce. Testimony was heard from Jacqueline L.
Williams-Bridger, Inspector General, Department of State; and Frank DeGeorge.
Inspector General, Department of Commerce.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation continued
appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress and
public witnesses.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government, on the Customs Service held a hearing on the U.S. Customs
Service. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
the Treasury: Ray Kelly, Under Secretary, Enforcement; and George Weise,
Commissioner of Customs, U.S. Customs Service.
FINANCIAL SERVICES MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial
Institutions and Consumer Credit continued hearings on Financial Services
Modernization legislation including H.R. 268, Depository Institution
Affiliation and Thrift Charter Conversion Act. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
HOUSING AND OPPORTUNITY RESPONSIBILITY ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and
Community Development held a hearing on H.R. 2, Housing and Opportunity
Responsibility Act of 1997, and on Personal Responsibility and Accountability
in Communities. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ADULT EDUCATION ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning held a hearing on Adult Education
Act. Testimony was heard from Representative Smith of Texas; Patricia McNeil,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Department of
Education; Andy Hartman, Director, National Institute for Literacy, Department
of Health and Human Services; Sam Drew, Director, Office of Communications,
Department of Education, State of South Carolina; and public witnesses.
COUNTERNARCOTICS EFFORTS IN MEXICO AND ALONG THE SOUTHWEST BORDER
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held a hearing on
"Counternarcotics Efforts in Mexico and Along the Southwest Border". Testimony
was heard from Representative Bonilla; Robert S. Gelbard, Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Department of
State; from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Mary Lee
Warren, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division; Thomas A.
Constantine, Administrator, DEA; and Douglas M. Kruhm, Assistant Commissioner,
U.S. Border Patrol, Immigration and Naturalization Service; and Tony
Castaneda, Chief of Police, Eagle Pass, Texas.
ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN ASSISTANCE BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the Administration's
fiscal year 1998 Foreign Assistance Budget Request. Testimony was heard from
J. Brian Atwood, Administrator, AID, United States International Development
Cooperation Agency.
[Page: D136]
BRIEFING--INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENTS BY THE CIA
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and the
Subcommittee on Research and Development met in executive session to receive a
joint briefing on intelligence assessments by the CIA. The Subcommittees were
briefed by representatives of the CIA.
MEDICARE HMO PAYMENT POLICIES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare
HMO Payment Policies. Testimony was heard from Paul N. Van de Water, Assistant
Director, Budget Analysis, CBO; Gail R. Wilensky, Chair, Physician Payment
Review Commission; Joseph Newhouse, Chairman, Prospective Payment Assessment
Commission; William J. Scanlon, Director, Health Systems Issues, GAO; and
public witnesses.
ANNUAL REPORT--IRS TAXPAYER ADVOCATE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on the
Annual Report of the IRS Taxpayer Advocate. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the IRS, Department of the Treasury: Lee R. Monks,
Taxpayer Advocate; Fran Romano, Connecticut/Rhode Island District, Tom George,
South Texas District, Louis Romito, Pennsylvania District-Pittsburg, Elayne M.
Goldstein, Midwest District, and Jeanne Williams, North Florida District, all
District Taxpayer Advocates.
1997/02/26
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 26, 1997; pages D139 - D146
Committee Meetings
CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM--USDA'S FINAL REGULATION
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and
Research held a hearing to review the USDA's final regulation on the
Conservation Reserve Program. Testimony was heard from Dallas Smith, Acting
Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services, USDA; and public
witnesses.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the
Secretary of Agriculture. Testimony was heard from Dan Glickman, Secretary of
Agriculture.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Inspector General for the Department of
Justice and on the Legal Services Corporation. Testimony was heard from
Michael Bromwich, Inspector General, Department of Justice; and Douglas S.
Eakeley, Chairman, Board of Directors, Legal Services Corporation.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Secretary of the Interior. Testimony was heard from Bruce Babbitt, Secretary
of the Interior.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Director, NIH, on the National Cancer
Institute and the National Eye Institute. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Harold
Varmus, M.D., Director, NIH; Richard D. Klausner, M.D., Director, National
Cancer Institute; and Carl Kupfer, M.D., Director, National Eye Institute.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security held a hearing
on the fiscal year 1998 Defense Budget. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: William S. Cohen, Secretary; and Gen.
John M. Shalikashvili, USA, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation continued
appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress and
public witnesses.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the Office of Inspector General,
Department of the Treasury and on the Secret Service. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Valerie Lau,
Inspector General; and Eljay B. Bowron, Director, U.S. Secret Service.
VETERANS' AFFAIRS, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on NASA. Testimony was heard from Daniel S. Goldin,
Administrator, NASA.
CREDIT UNION INDUSTRY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial
Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing on issues currently facing the
D143Credit Union Industry. Testimony was heard from Representative Frost;
Norman E. D'Amours, Chairman, National Credit Union Administration; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D143]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power approved for full
Committee action the following bills: H.R. 649, Department of Energy
Standardization Act of 1997; and H.R. 363, amended, to amend section 2118 of
the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to extend the Electric and Magnetic Fields
Research and Public Information Dissemination Program; H.R. 651, to extend the
deadline under the Federal Power Act for the construction of a hydroelectric
project located in the State of Washington; and H.R. 652, to extend the
deadline under the Federal Power Act for the construction of a hydroelectric
project located in the State of Washington.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 649 and H.R.
363. Testimony was heard from Eric Fygi, Deputy General Counsel, Department of
Energy; and a public witness.
VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ACT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Civil Service
approved for full Committee action H.R. 240, Veterans' Employment Opportunity
Act of 1997.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on this measure.
Testimony was heard from James B. King, Director, OPM; and public witnesses.
CIVIC VOLUNTEERS, YOUTH SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND WAR ON DRUGS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held a hearing on Civic
Volunteers, Youth Service Organizations, and the War on Drugs. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
DORNAN V. SANCHEZ
Committee on House Oversight: Task Force on the Contested Election assigned to
the Forty-sixth District of California; adopted a motion postponing the
disposition of Representative Sanchez's motion to dismiss until a hearing on
the merits.
NEW THINKING ON FOREIGN ASSISTANCE
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on New Thinking on
Foreign Assistance. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
U.S. POLICY TOWARD NORTH KOREA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on Engaging the Hermit Kingdom: U.S. Policy Toward North Korea.
Testimony was heard from Charles Kartman, Assistant Secretary, East Asian and
Pacific Affairs (Acting), Department of State; Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of Defense; and public
witnesses.
MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights held a hearing on Department of State Management Initiatives.
Testimony was heard from Patrick Kennedy, Acting Under Secretary, Management,
Department of State.
PATENT LEGISLATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held a hearing on the following: H.R. 400, 21st Century Patent System
Improvement Act; H.R. 673, Patent and Trademark Office Surcharge Extension Act
of 1997; and H.R. 811, Patent Term Restoration Act. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Kelly, Hunter, Rohrabacher and Campbell; Bruce A. Lehman,
Assistant Secretary and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, Department of
Commerce; and public witnesses.
ADMINISTRATION'S ANTI-GANG AND YOUTH VIOLENCE INITIATIVE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime and the Subcommittee on
Early Childhood, Youth and Families of the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a joint hearing regarding the Administration's anti-gang and
youth violence initiative. Testimony was heard from Janet Reno, Attorney
General, Department of Justice.
DEFENSE REFORM
Committee on National Security: Held a hearing on defense reform. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: John
White, Deputy Secretary; and Paul Kaminski, Under Secretary (Acquisition and
Technology).
NAVY SHIPBUILDING OVERVIEW
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and the
Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on Navy
shipbuilding overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Navy, Department of Defense: John W. Douglass, D144Assistant
Secretary (Research, Development and Acquisition); VADM. Donald L. Pilling,
USN, Deputy Chief, Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements, and Assessments;
and Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Oster, USMC, Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs and
Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; Ron O'Rourke, Specialist in
National Defense, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; and a
public witness.
[Page: D144]
CARGO AIRCRAFT--TRAFFIC ALERT AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on Whether the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System Should
be Required in Cargo Aircraft. Testimony was heard from Guy S. Gardner,
Associate Administrator, Regulation and Certification, FAA, Department of
Transportation; Robert T. Francis, Vice Chairman, National Transportation
Safety Board; the following officials of the Department of Defense: Maj. Gen.
Donald L. Peterson, USAF, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Air and Space
Operations, U.S. Air Force; Rear Adm. Dennis V. McGinn, USN, Director, Air
Warfare Division, U.S. Navy; and public witnesses.
STATE BOATING SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on reauthorization of the State
Boating Safety Grant Program. Testimony was heard from Rear Adm. James T.
Hull, USCG, Director, Operations Policy, United States Coast Guard, Department
of Transportation; and public witnesses.
WELFARE REFORM LEGISLATION--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
Technical Corrections to Welfare Reform legislation. Testimony was heard from
Representative Herger; Olivia A. Golden, Acting Assistant Secretary, Children
and Families, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
WTO SINGAPORE MINISTERIAL MEETING
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on the WTO
Singapore Ministerial Meeting. Testimony was heard from Delegate
Christian-Green; Jeffrey M. Lang, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative; JayEtta
Hecker, Associate Director, International Relations and Trade Issues, National
Security and International Affairs Division, GAO; and public witnesses.
1997/02/27
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 27, 1997; pages D148 - D154
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the FDA.
Testimony was heard from Michael Friedman, Deputy Commissioner, Operations,
FDA, USDA.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on the Secretary of the
Treasury. Testimony was heard from Robert E. Rubin, Secretary of the Treasury.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the National Center of Human Genome Research,
the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Institute on
Deafness and other Communication Disorders. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Francis S.
Collins, M.D., Director, National Human Genome Research Institute; Anthony S.
Fauci, M.D., Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases;
Kenneth Olden, M.D., Director, National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences; and James B. Snow, Jr., M.D., Director, National Institute on
Deafness and other Communication Disorders.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held an
Overview hearing. Testimony was heard from John J. Hamre, Comptroller,
Department of Defense.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in
executive session to hold a hearing on the U.S. European Command and on the
U.S. Atlantic Command. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Gen. George Joulwan, USA, Commander-in-Chief, U.S.
European Command; and Gen. John Sheehan, USMC, Commander-in-Chief, U.S.
Atlantic Command.
MEDICARE MANAGED CARE
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Medicare Managed Care: Payment and Related Issues. Testimony was heard from
Bruce M. Fried, Director, Office of Managed Care, Health Care Financing
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Jonathan Ratner,
Associate Director, Health Financing Systems, Health, Education, and Human
Services, GAO; Donald A. Young, M.D., Executive Director, Prospective Payment
Assessment Commission; and Roger S. Taylor, M.D., Commissioner, Physician
Payment Review Commission.
OVERSIGHT--REHABILITATION ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning held an oversight hearing on the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Education: Judy Heumann, Assistant Secretary, Office of
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; and Frederic Schroeder,
Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration; P. Charles LaRosa,
Commissioner, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, State of South
Carolina; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--HUD
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
and Intergovernmental Relations held an oversight hearing on the Department of
Housing and Urban Development: Mission, Management, and Performance. Testimony
D152was heard from Andrew M. Cuomo, Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development.
[Page: D152]
OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held an oversight
hearing on the 1997 National Drug Control Strategy. Testimony was heard from
Barry R. McCaffrey, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy.
FREE SPEECH AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing
regarding Free Speech and Campaign Finance Reform. Testimony was heard from
Senator McConnell; Representatives Gephardt and Frank of Massachusetts; and
public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held an
oversight hearing regarding deception of a Congressional Task Force delegation
to the Miami District of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Stephen
Colgate, Assistant Attorney General, Administration; and Doris Meissner,
Commissioner and Chris Sale, Deputy Commissioner, both with the Immigration
and Naturalization Service.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION BUDGET REQUESTS
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities held a hearing on the fiscal year 1998 military construction budget
request for programs of the Secretary of Defense, the Defense Agencies, and
the Active and Reserve Components of the Department of the Army. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: John B.
Goodman, Deputy Under Secretary (Industrial Affairs and Installations); Robert
M. Walker, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Logistics and
Environment); Maj. Gen. Randolph House, USA, Assistant Chief of Staff,
Installations Management, Department of the Army; Brig. Gen. William Bilo,
Deputy Director, Army National Guard; and Brig. Gen. James Helmly, Deputy
Chief, Army Reserve.
DOD HEALTH CARE ALTERNATIVES
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a
hearing on Department of Defense health care alternatives for Military
Medicare-Eligible Beneficiaries. Testimony was heard from Stephen P. Backhus,
Director, Veterans' Affairs and Military Health Care Issues, GAO; Stephen
Joseph, M.D., Assistant Secretary (Health Affairs), Department of Defense; and
public witnesses.
DEFENSE R&D FOR FUTURE READINESS
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Research and
Development held a hearing on Defense research and development for future
readiness. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Defense: Anita K. Jones, Director, Defense Research and Engineering; Lee
Buchanan, Deputy Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; Patricia
Sanders, Director, Test Systems Engineering and Evaluation; and Thomas Perdue,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary (Advanced Technology).
NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING ACT REAUTHORIZATION AND AMENDMENTS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources approved
for full Committee action as amended H.R. 709, to reauthorize and amend the
National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on this legislation.
Testimony was heard from P. Patrick Leahy, Chief Geologist, U.S. Geological
Survey, Department of the Interior; and a public witness.
NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, and Wildlife
and Oceans, held a hearing on H.R. 437, to reauthorize the National Sea Grant
College Program Act. Testimony was heard from Representative Stupak; Ronald C.
Baird, Executive Director, National Sea Grant College Program, Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public
witnesses.
NOAA BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held oversight hearing on the NOAA fiscal year 1998 budget request,
which includes funding for the National Marine Fisheries Service. Testimony
was heard from D. James Baker, Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere,
Department of Commerce.
OVERSIGHT--RESEARCH AND RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held
an oversight hearing on Research and Resource Management in the National Park
Service. Testimony was heard from Barry T. Hill, Associate Director, Energy,
Resources and D153Science Issues, Resources, Community and Economic
Development Division, GAO; the following officials of the Department of the
Interior: Richard B. Keigley, Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey; Roger G.
Kennedy, Director, National Park Service; and Mark Schaefer, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Water and Science; and public witnesses.
[Page: D153]
HOUSE RULES RECODIFICATION
Committee on Rules: Bipartisan Ad Hoc Task Force on the Recodification of
House Rules met to discuss the Task Force agenda and goals.
The Task Force received a briefing on the Recodification of House Rules by
Charles Johnson, Chief Parliamentarian of the House.
ETHICS REFORM
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Task Force on Ethics Reform met in
executive session to hold a hearing on Ethics Reform. Testimony was heard from
Members of Congress.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on Surface
Transportation Research Needs for the Next Century. Testimony was heard from
Mortimer L. Downey, Deputy Secretary, Department of Transportation; David L.
Winstead, Secretary, Department of Transportation, State of Maryland; and a
public witness.
ISTEA REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation continued hearings on ISTEA Comprehensive Reauthorization
Proposals: On the Administration's and Other Comprehensive Reauthorization
Proposals. Testimony was heard from Rodney E. Slater, Secretary of
Transportation; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue March 4.
VA BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on the Administration's fiscal
year 1998 VA Budget. Testimony was heard from Frank Q. Nebeker, Chief Judge,
U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals; and representatives of veterans organizations.
ENCOURAGING ADOPTION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
Encouraging Adoption. Testimony was heard from Mark Nadel, Associate Director,
Income Security Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security met for
organizational purposes.
ETHICS REFORM
Task Force on Ethics Reform: Met in executive session to discuss Ethics
Reforms.
1997/02/28
Daily Digest - Friday, February 28, 1997; pages D156 - D162
Committee Meetings
TERRORIST INCIDENTS INVOLVING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION--FEDERAL RESPONSE
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Research and
Development, hearing on the Federal response to terrorist incidents involving
weapons of mass destruction. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Defense: H. Allen Holmes, Assistant Secretary (Special
Operations and Low Intensity Conflict); Jeffrey M. David, Office of Special
Technology, Program Manager, Technical Support Working Group National
Programs; and James R. Lawrence, Office of Special Technology, Program
Manager, Technical Support for Working Group International Programs;
Ambassador, Philip C. Wilcox, Jr., Coordinator, Counter-Terrorism, Department
of State; and Gary B. Marrs, Chief, Fire Department, Oklahoma City.
1997/03/03
Daily Digest - Monday, March 3, 1997; pages D164 - D168
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/03/04
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 4, 1997; pages D169 - D178
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Research,
Education and Economics. Testimony was heard from Catherine E. Woteki, Acting
Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics, USDA.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on Attorney General. Testimony was heard from Janet
Reno, Attorney General, Department of Justice.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held
a hearing on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Army: H. Martin Lancaster,
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works); Lt. Gen. Joe N. Ballard, USA,
Chief, Corps of Engineers; and Maj. Gen. Russell Fuhrman, USA, Director, Civil
Works.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior continued appropriations
hearing, with emphasis on Natural Resources. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
LABOR--HHS--EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,
the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol
Abuse and Alcoholism. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Health and Human D173Services: Claude J.M. Lefant, M.D.,
Director, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; Alan I. Leshner, M.D.,
Director, National Institute of Drug Abuse; and Enoch Gordis, M.D., Director,
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
[Page: D173]
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on Quality of Life. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Defense: Jerry T. Alley, Jr., Command Sgt. Major, U.S.
Army Forces Command; John Hagan, Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy; Lewis
G. Lee, Sgt. Major, U.S. Marine Corps; and Eric W. Benken, Chief Master Sgt.
U.S. Air Force.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; Federal
Law Enforcement Training Center and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Treasury: Ray Kelly, Under Secretary, Law Enforcement; John W. Magaw,
Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Charles F. Rinkevich,
Director, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; and Stanley E. Morris,
Director, Office of Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
VA--HUD--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation and on the Selective
Service System. Testimony was heard from George Knight, Director, Neighborhood
Reinvestment Corporation; and Gil Coronado, Director, Selective Service
System.
THE ECONOMY
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the economy. Testimony was heard
from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System.
FEDERAL JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS REFORM
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning held a hearing on Reform of the
Major Federal Job Training Programs. Testimony was heard from Raymond J.
Uhalde, Acting Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration,
Department of Labor; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered and adopted a
motion urging the Chairman to request that the following measures be
considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 17, congratulating the
people of Guatemala on the success of the recent negotiations to establish a
process for Guatemala; and H. Con. Res. 18, congratulating the people of the
Republic of Nicaragua on the success of their democratic elections held on
October 20, 1996.
FY 1998 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 1998 Military Construction Budget
Request for programs of the active and Reserve Components of the Department of
the Navy and the Department of the Air Force. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Robert B. Pirie, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary, Navy (Installations and Facilities); Rear Adm. David J.
Nash, USN, Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command; Rear Adm. (Select)
John B. Brunelli, USN, Deputy Director, Naval Reserve; Maj. Gen. Joseph D.
Stewart, USMC, Deputy Chief of Staff, Installations and Logistics,
Headquarters, Marine Corps; Jimmy G. Dishner, Deputy Chief of Staff
(Installations); Maj. Gen. Eugene A. Lupia, USAF, The Civil Engineer,
Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; Brig. Gen. Paul A. Waver, Deputy Director, Air
National Guard; and Brig. Gen. John A. Bradley, USAF, Deputy to the Chief, Air
Force Reserve.
READINESS AND PERSONNEL: VIEWS FROM THE FIELD
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Personnel and the
Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a joint hearing on Readiness and
Personnel: Views from the Field. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Lt. Gen. Thomas A. Schwartz, USA,
Commander, III Corps, Fort Hood, TX; Lt. Gen. Ronald W. Iverson, USAF,
Commander, 7th Air Force, Osan AFB, Korea; Vice Adm. Charles Abbot, Commander,
6th Fleet, Italy; Lt. Gen. Carlton W. Fulford, USMC, Commander I Marine
Expeditionary Force, D174Camp Pendleton, CA; Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Thomas,
USA, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, TX; Senior Chief Legalman
Renee S. Scheetz, USN, USS Simon Lake (AS33); Senior Master Sgt. Gary Simmons,
USAF, 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan AFB, Korea; Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Constance,
USMC, Regimental Sgt. Maj., 1st Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA.; Brig.
Gen. Ronald Richard, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat
Center, Twentynine Palms, CA; Brig. Gen. T. Michael Moseley, USAF, Commander,
57th Wing, Nellis AFB, NV; Brig. Gen. William S. Wallace, USA, Commander,
National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, CA; Vice Adm. Bernard Smith, USN,
Commander, Naval Tactical Warfare Center, Fallon, NY; and public witnesses.
[Page: D174]
OVERSIGHT--ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing on the Administration's budget requests with respect to the
following agencies of the Department of the Interior: the U. S. Geological
Survey (except Water Resources Division), the Minerals Management Service, the
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and the Bureau of Land
Management (Energy and Minerals, including Mining Law Administration).
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Interior: Gordon Eaton, Director, U.S. Geological Survey; Katherine Henry,
Acting Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement;
Carolita Kallaur, Deputy Director, Minerals Management Service; and W. Hord
Tipton, Assistant Director, Minerals, Lands and Resources Protection, Bureau
of Land Management.
OVERSIGHT--ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power Resources held an
oversight hearing on the Administration's proposed 1998 budget requests for
the Bureau of Reclamation, the Central Utah Project, and the Water Resources
Division of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Power Marketing
Administrations. Testimony was heard from following officials of the
Department of the Interior: Patricia J. Beneke, Assistant Secretary, Water and
Science; Eluid Martinez, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation; and Robert M.
Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey; and the following officials
of the Power Administrations, Department of Energy: Stephen J. Wright,
Vice-President, National Relations, Bonneville; J. M. Shafer, Administrator,
Western Area; Charles A. Borchardt, Administrator, Southeastern; Michael A.
Deihl, Administrator, Southwestern; and Rodney L. Adelman, Administrator,
Alaska.
NASA POSTURE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
NASA Posture fiscal year 1998 authorization. Testimony was heard from Daniel
S. Goldin, Administrator, NASA.
ETHICS REFORM
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Task Force on Ethics Reform held a
hearing on the Ethics Process in the House. Testimony was heard from Joe
Maskill, Legislative Attorney, Congressional Research Service, Library of
Congress; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
ISTEA REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation continued hearings on ISTEA Reauthorization: Policy Initiatives
and Requests for Highway and Transit Projects. Testimony was heard from
Representatives McHale, Sabo, Furse, Blumenauer, Hooley of Oregon; DeGette,
LaTourette, Kucinich, Thomas, Holden, Packard, Gillmor and Frelinghuysen; and
public witnesses.
Hearings continue March 6.
MEDICARE HOME CARE, SKILLED NURSING FACILITY, AND OTHER POST-ACUTE PAYMENT
POLICIES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare
Home Health Care, Skilled Nursing Facility, and Other Post-Acute Care Payment
Policies. Testimony was heard from Joseph P. Newhouse, Chairman, Prospective
Payment Assessment Commission; William J. Scanlon, Director, Health Financing
and Systems Issue Area, GAO; George F. Grob, Deputy Inspector General,
Evaluation and Inspections, Office of the Inspector General, Department of
Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
"HIGH-RISK" PROGRAMS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight, hearing on "High-Risk"
Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the D175GAO:
Gene I. Dodaro, Assistant Comptroller General, Accounting and Information
Management Division; Lynda D. Willis, Director, Tax Policy and Administration
Issues, General Government Division; Jane L. Ross, Director, Income Security
Issues, Health, Education, and Human Services Division; and Leslie G.
Aronovitz, Associate Director, Health Financing and Systems Issues, Health,
Education, and Human Services, Division; Valerie Lau, Inspector General,
Department of the Treasury; Patricia A. Dalton, Deputy Inspector General,
Department of Labor; and Michael F. Mangano, Principal Deputy Inspector
General, Department of Health and Human Services.
[Page: D175]
FUTURE IMAGERY ARCHITECTURE
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a briefing on the Future
Imagery Architecture. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses.
1997/03/05
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 5, 1997; pages D180 - D190
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED
AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Farm
Credit Administration and on Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. Testimony
was heard from Marsha Martin, Chairman and CEO, Farm Credit Administration;
and Mary Ann Keeffe, Acting Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer
Services, USDA.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on Secretary of State and on the FBI. Testimony was
heard from Madeleine K. Albright, Secretary of State; and Louie Freeh,
Director, FBI, Department of Justice.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held
a hearing on Bureau of Reclamation. Testimony was heard from Eluid L.
Martinez, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior continued appropriation
hearings, with emphasis on Energy Programs. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
LABOR--HHS--EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a D184hearing on National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Library of Medicine, the National
Institute on Nursing Research and the Fogarty International Center. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human
Services: Phillip Gorden, M.D., Director, National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Donald Lindeberg, M.D., Director, National
Library of Medicine; Patricia Grady, M.D., Director, National Institute on
Nursing Research; and Philip Schambra, M.D., Director, Fogarty International
Center.
[Page: D184]
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on Army Construction. Testimony was heard from Mike Walker, Assistant
Secretary of the Army, Installations, Logistics and Environment.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in an
executive session to hold a hearing on U.S. Pacific Command/U.S. Forces Korea
and on U.S. Central Command. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Defense: Adm. Joseph W. Prueher, USN, Commander-in-Chief,
U.S. Pacific Command; Gen. John H. Tilelli, Jr., USA, Commander-in-Chief, U.S.
Forces Korea; and Gen. Binford J.H. Peay, III, USA, Commander-in-Chief, U.S.
Central Command.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the IRS; the U.S. Mint; Bureau of
Engraving and Printing; and the Financial Management Service. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Larry
Summers, Deputy Secretary; Margaret Milner Richardson, Commissioner, IRS;
Philip N. Diehl, Director of the Mint; Larry Roluff, Director, Bureau of
Engraving and Printing; Rusell D. Morris, Commissioner, Federal Management
Service; and George Munoz, Assistant Secretary, Management and Chief Financial
Officer.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the Council on Environmental Quality and on the Office of
Science and Technology Policy. Testimony was heard from Kathleen A. McGinty,
Chair, Council on Environmental Quality; and John H. Gibbons, Director, Office
of Science and Technology Policy.
FINANCIAL MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing on Financial
Modernization. Testimony was heard from Eugene A. Ludwig, Comptroller,
Department of the Treasury; and Ricki T. Helfer, Chairman, FDIC.
CONDUCT OF MONETARY POLICY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on Conduct of Monetary Policy
(Humphrey-Hawkins). Testimony was heard from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board
of Governors, Federal Reserve System.
HOMELESS HOUSING PROGRAMS CONSOLIDATION AND FLEXIBILITY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and
Community Development held a hearing on H.R. 217, Homeless Housing Programs
Consolidation and Flexibility Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 649,
Department of Energy Standardization Act of 1997; H.R. 363, amended, to amend
section 2118 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to extend the Electric and
Magnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination Program; H.R.
651, to extend the deadline under the Federal Power Act for the construction
of a hydroelectric project located in the state of Washington; and H.R. 652,
to extend the deadline under the Federal Power Act for the construction of
hydroelectric project located in the State of Washington.
MEDICARE HOME HEALTH CARE
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Medicare Home Health Care. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Health and Human Services: Bruce Vladeck, Administrator,
Health Care Financing Administration; and Michael F. Mangano, Principal Deputy
Inspector General; the following officials of the GAO: William Scanlon,
Director, Health Financing Systems, Health, Education, and Human Services; and
Thomas Doudal, Senior Assistant Director, Health and Human Services Division;
Donald A. Young, M.D., Executive Director, Prospective Payment Assessment
Commission; and public witnesses.
[Page: D185]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported the following
bills: H.R. 1, Working Families Flexibility Act; and H.R. 914, to make certain
technical corrections in the Higher Education Act of 1965 relating to
graduation data disclosures.
ADMINISTRATION'S EDUCATION INITIATIVES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing on the
Administration's Education Initiatives. Testimony was heard from Richard
Riley, Secretary of Education.
IMPROPER GRANTING OF CITIZENSHIP TO INDIVIDUALS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice and the Subcommittee on
Immigration and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary held a joint
Subcommittee hearing on Improper Granting of U.S. Citizenship to Individuals
with Criminal Records. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Justice: Stephen R. Colgate, Assistant Attorney General,
Administration; Dawn Johnsen, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Office of
Legal Counsel; Doris M. Meissner, Commissioner, David Rosenberg, Citizenship
USA Program Director; Louis D. Crocetti, Associate Commissioner, Examinations
and David Martin, General Counsel, all with the Immigration and Naturalization
Service; Laurie E. Ekstrand, Associate Director, Administration of Justice,
General Government Division, GAO; and a public witness.
COMMITTEE FUNDING
Committee on House Oversight: Met to consider funding requests from the
following Committees: House Oversight; Ways and Means; Small Business;
International Relations; Agriculture; Judiciary; Standards of Official
Conduct; Transportation and Infrastructure; Veterans' Affairs; Science; and
Intelligence.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
approved for full Committee action the following measures: H. Con. Res. 16,
concerning the urgent need to improve the living standards of those South
Asians living in the Ganges and the Bahmaputra River Basin; H. Res. 68,
amended, stating the sense of the House of Representatives that the Treaty of
Mutual Cooperation and Security Between the United States of America and Japan
is essential for furthering the security interests of the United States,
Japan, and the nations of the Asia-Pacific region, and that the people of
Okinawa deserve recognition for their contributions toward ensuring the
treaty's implementation; and H.R. 750, amended, to support the autonomous
governance of Hong Kong after its reversion to the People's Republic of China.
Following this action, the subcommittee held a hearing on AID Activities and
the Central Asian Republics. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of AID, U.S. International Development Cooperation Agency: Thomas Dine,
Assistant Administrator, Europe and the New Independent States; and Charles
Weden, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Asia.
NAFTA REPORT CARD
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade, hearing on "Report Card on NAFTA." Testimony was heard from
Representatives Houghton, Bonior and Kaptur; Regina Vargo, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Western Hemisphere, Department of Commerce; Ira Shapiro, Senior
Counsel and Negotiator, Office of the U. S. Trade Representative; and public
witnesses.
FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights, hearing on Foreign Relations Authorization for FY 1998: U.S.
Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Testimony was heard from John D. Holum,
Director, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
approved for full Committee action the following measures: H.R. 400, amended,
21st Century Patent System Improvement Act; H.R. 672, amended, to make
technical amendments to certain provisions of title 17, United States Code;
and H.R. 908, to establish a Commission on Structural Alternatives for the
Federal Courts of Appeals.
FIREARMS PROHIBITION--DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONVICTION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 26, to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide
that the firearms prohibitions applicable by reason of a domestic violence
misdemeanor conviction do not apply if the conviction occurred before the
prohibitions became law; and H.R. 445, to provide that the firearms
prohibitions applicable by reason of a domestic violence misdemeanor
conviction do not apply to government entities. Testimony was heard from Pete
Gagliardi, Deputy Associate Director, Criminal Enforcement Programs, Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury; D186David R.
Loesch, Deputy Assistant Director, Criminal Justice Information Service
Division, FBI, Department of Justice; Capt. R. Lewis Vass; Records Management
Officer, Department of Police, State of Virginia; and public witnesses.
[Page: D186]
DOD AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Held a hearing on Fiscal Year 1998 Department
of Defense authorization request. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Gen. Dennis J. Reimer, USA, Chief of
Staff, Army; Adm. Jay L. Johnson, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; Gen. Charles
C. Krulak, USMC, Commandant, Marine Corps; and Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, USAF,
Chief of Staff, Air Force.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
TACTICAL FIGHTER CRAFT MODERNIZATION
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and
Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on
tactical fighter craft modernization. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Paul Kaminski, Under Secretary
(Acquisition and Technology); and Gen. Joseph Ralston, USAF, Vice Chairman,
Joint Chiefs of Staff; Cindy Williams, Assistant Director, National Security
Division, CBO; and Louis Rodrigues, Director, Defense Acquisitions, National
Security and International Affairs Division, GAO.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following measures: H.J. Res. 32,
to consent to certain amendments enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Hawaii to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920; H.R. 63, to designate the
reservoir created by Trinity Dam in the Central Valley project, CA, as Trinity
Lake; H.R. 412, amended, to approve a settlement agreement between the Bureau
of Reclamation and the Oroville-Tonasket Lake; H.R. 437, to reauthorize the
National Sea Grant College Program Act; and H.R. 709, amended, to reauthorize
and amend the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992.
QUINCY LIBRARY GROUP FOREST RECOVERY AND ECONOMIC STABILITY ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on H.R. 858, Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery and Economic
Stability Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Representatives Herger and
Fazio of California; James R. Lyons, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and
Environment, USDA; and public witnesses.
NSF AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Basic Research held a hearing on NSF
fiscal year authorization. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the NSF: Richard N. Zare, Chairman, National Science Board; and Neal Lane,
Director.
CLONING: HOW FAR SHOULD WE GO?
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on
Biotechnology and the Ethics of Cloning: How Far Should We Go? Testimony was
heard from Harold E. Varmus, M.D., Director, NIH, Department of Health and
Human Services; Caird E. Rexroad, Jr., Supervisory Research Physiologist,
Agriculture Research Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
ETHICS PROCESS IN THE HOUSE
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Task Force on Ethics Reform met in
executive session to continue hearings on the Ethics Process in the House.
Testimony was heard from Members of Congress.
GSA FISCAL YEAR AND RENT SHORTFALL
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development held a hearing on the GSA fiscal year
Program and Rent Shortfall. Testimony was heard from Robert A. Peck,
Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, GSA.
SUPERFUND REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Superfund Reauthorization: Lessons
from the State. Testimony was heard from Christine Todd Whitman, Governor,
State of New Jersey; Mary A. Gade, Director, Environmental Protection Agency,
State of Illinois; Langdon Marsh, Director, Department of Environmental
Quality, State of Oregon; Peder Larson, Commissioner, Pollution Control
Agency, State of Minnesota; John P. Cahill, Acting Commissioner, Department of
Environmental Conservation, State of New York; Jane T. Nishida, Secretary,
Department of Environment, State of Maryland; James M. Strock, Administrator,
Environmental Protection Agency, State of California; Russell J. Harding,
Director, Department of Environmental Quality, State of Michigan; Harold F.
Reheis, Director, Environmental Protection Division, Department of Natural
Resources, State of Georgia; and Jay J. Manning, Senior Assistant Attorney
General, Ecology Division, Office of the Attorney General, State of
Washington.
[Page: D187]
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET--EDUCATION AND TRAINING TAX PROVISIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Education and Training Tax
Provisions of the Administration's Fiscal Year 1998 Budget Proposal. Testimony
was heard from Senator Coverdell; Representatives Rangel, Price of North
Carolina and Etheridge; Donald C. Lubick, Acting Assistant Secretary, Tax
Policy, Department of the Treasury; David A. Longanecker, Assistant Secretary,
Postsecondary Education, Department of Education; and public witnesses.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS; UNCONVENTIONAL SIGINT
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
consider pending business.
The Committee also met in executive session to hold a briefing on
Unconventional SIGINT (Signal Intelligence). The Committee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.
1997/03/06
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 6, 1997; pages D191 - D204
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and on the Farm and Foreign Agricultural
Services. Testimony was heard from the following: Brooksley Born, Chairperson,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission; the following officials of the USDA:
Dallas R. Smith, Acting Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agriculture
Services; and Grant B. Buntrock, Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Bureau of Export Administration, Department of
Commerce and on the Federal Courts; the Administrative Office and the Federal
Judicial Center. Testimony was heard from William A. Reinsch, Under Secretary,
Export Administration, Department of Commerce; the following officials of the
Judicial Conference: Judge John Heyburn, Chairman; and Judge William Young,
Co-Chairman; Leonidas Ralph Mecham, Director, Administrative Office, U.S.
Courts; Judge Rya Zobel, Director, Federal Judicial Center.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held
a hearing on TVA and on the Appalachian Regional Commission. Testimony was
heard from Craven Crowell, Chairman, TVA; and the following officials of the
Appalachian Regional Commission: Kirk Fordice, Governor, State of Mississippi,
State's Co-Chairman; and Jesse L. White, Jr., Federal Co-Chairman.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior continued appropriation
hearings, with emphasis on Indian Programs. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
LABOR--HHS--EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on National Institute of Arthritis,
Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, the National Center for Research Resources,
the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National
Institute of Dental Research. Testimony was heard from Stephen Katz, M.D.,
Director, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease;
Judith L. Vaitukaitis, M.D., Director, National Center for Research Resources;
Duane Alexander, M.D., Director, National Institute of Child Health and
D196Human Development; and Harold C. Slaukin, M.D., Director, National
Institute of Dental Research.
[Page: D196]
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on Navy Construction. Testimony was heard from Robin Tirie, Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, Installations and Environment, Department of the
Defense.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security held a hearing
on the Fiscal Year 1998 Navy/Marine Corps Budget Overview and on Navy/Marine
Corps Acquisition. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Navy: John H. Dalton, Secretary; Adm. Jay L. Johnson, USN,
Chief of Naval Operations; Gen. Charles C. Krulak, USMC, Commandant, Marine
Corps; John W. Douglass, Assistant Secretary, Research, Development, Test and
Evaluation; Vice Adm. T. Donald L. Pilling, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval
Operation (Resources, Warfare Requirements and Assessments); and Lt. Gen.
Jeffrey W. Oster, USMC, Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs and Resources.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
the GAO and on the Secretary of Transportation. Testimony was heard from John
Anderson, Director, Transportation Issues, GAO; and Rodney E. Slater,
Secretary of Transportation.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the Secretary of the Treasury. Testimony
was heard from Robert E. Rubin, Secretary of the Treasury.
VA--HUD--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Testimony was heard
from James Lee Witt, Director, FEMA.
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and
Community Development continued hearings on H.R. 2, Housing Opportunity and
Responsibility Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Andrew M. Cuomo,
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Hearings continue March 11.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET--CBO'S ANALYSIS
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the CBO's Analysis of the
Administration's Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 1998. Testimony was heard
from June E. O'Neil, Director, CBO.
SEC AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing on the Securities and Exchange Commission Authorization Act of 1997.
Testimony was heard from Arthur Levitt, Jr., Chairman, SEC.
ASSISTED SUICIDE
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Assisted Suicide: Legal, Medical, Ethical, and Social Issues. Testimony was
heard from Bernard Cardinal Law, Archbishop of Boston; Rabbi A. James Rudin,
Director, Interfaith Relations, American Jewish Committee; Rev. David L.
Adams, Executive Director, Office of Government Information, Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod; Rev. Dr. Stanley Harakas, Greek Orthodox Church,
Archdiocese of America; and public witnesses.
EDUCATION AT A CROSSROADS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Education at a Crossroads, What Works, What's
Wasted. Testimony was heard from Lamar Alexander, former Secretary of
Education; and Delaine Eastin, Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of
California.
FEDERAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ACQUISITION STRATEGY
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Held a hearing on Federal
Telecommunications System Acquisition Strategy (Post-FTS 2000). Testimony was
heard from Robert J. Woods, Commissioner, GSA; and Frank E. Lalley, Associate
Deputy and Assistant Secretary Telecommunications, Department of Veterans'
Affairs.
Hearings continue March 12.
OVERSIGHT--HUD AND LABOR: MISSION MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Human Resources and
Intergovernmental Relations continued Agency oversight hearings: the
Department of Housing and Urban Development and the D197Department of Labor:
Mission, Management, and Performance. Testimony was heard from Susan Geffney,
Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Affairs; Charles C. Masten,
Inspector General, Department of Labor; and the following officials of the
GAO: Larry Dyckman, Associate Director, Housing and Community Development
Issues; and Carlotta Joiner, Director, Education and Employment.
[Page: D197]
COMMITTEE FUNDING
Committee on House Oversight: Met to consider funding requests for the
following Committees: Rules; Banking and Financial Services; Budget;
Resources, Education and the Workforce; National Security; Commerce; and
Government Reform and Oversight.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered and adopted a
motion urging the Chairman to request that the following measures be
considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 16, concerning the urgent
need to improve the living standards of those South Asians living in the
Ganges and the Bahmaputra River Basin; H. Res. 68, amended, stating the sense
of the House of Representatives that the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and
Security Between the United States of America and Japan is essential for
furthering the security interests of the United States, Japan, and the nations
of the Asia-Pacific region, and that the people of Okinawa deserve recognition
for their contributions toward ensuring the treaty's implementation; and H.R.
750, amended, to support the autonomous governance of Hong Kong after its
reversion to the People's Republic of China.
The Committee also ordered reported H.J.Res. 58, amended, disapproving the
certification of the President under section 490(b) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 regarding foreign assistance for Mexico during fiscal year 1997.
OVERSIGHT--CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held an oversight hearing on the Congressional Review Act. Testimony was heard
from Robert P. Murphy, General Counsel, GAO; Sally Katzen, Administrator,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; Jonathan Z. Cannon, General
Counsel, EPA; Nancy E. McFadden, General Counsel, Department of
Transportation; Charles W. Johnson, Parliamentarian, House of Representatives;
and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime approved for full Committee
action the following bills: H.R. 927, United States Marshals Service
Improvement Act of 1997; H.R. 926, Prisoner Service Opportunity Act of 1997;
and H.R. 924, Victim Allocution Clarification Act of 1997.
DOD AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Continued hearings on the Fiscal Year 1998
Department of Defense authorization request. Testimony was heard from
officials of the Department of Defense: Gen. John G. Tilelli, USA, Commander
in Chief, U.S. Forces Korea; Adm. Joseph W. Prueher, USN, Commander in Chief,
U.S. Pacific Command; and Gen. John J. Sheehan, USMC, Commander in Chief, U.S.
Atlantic Command.
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Research and
Development held a hearing on ballistic missile defense. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Lt. Gen. Lester L.
Lyles, USAF, Director Ballistic Missile Defense Organization; and Paul
Kaminski, Under Secretary, Acquisition and Technology.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans, held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 511, National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997; and H.R. 512, New Wildlife Refuge
Authorization Act. Testimony was heard from Representative John Tanner; Bruce
Babbit, Secretary of the Interior; Bernie Richter, Assemblyman, State of
California; and public witnesses.
DOE BUDGET AUTHORIZATION--ENERGY RESEARCH
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, held a hearing
on fiscal year 1998 budget authorization request for Office of Energy
Research, Department of Energy. Testimony was heard from Martha A. Krebs,
Director, Energy Research, Department of Energy; and Victor S. Rezendes,
Director, Energy, Resources and Science Issues, Resources, Community, and
Economic Development Division, GAO.
PAPERWORK ELIMINATION ACT; ADMINISTRATION BUDGET REQUEST--SBA
Committee on Small Business: Ordered reported H.R. 852, Paperwork Elimination
Act of 1997.
[Page: D198]
The Committee also held a hearing on the Administration's Budget request for
the SBA for fiscal year 1998. Testimony was heard from Aida Alvarez,
Administrator, SBA; and public witnesses.
ETHICS PROCESS
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Task Force on Ethics Reform met in
executive session to continue hearings on the Ethics Process in the House.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ISTEA REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation, continued hearing on ISTEA Reauthorization: Policy Initiatives
and Requests for Highway and Transit Projects. Testimony was heard from
Members of Congress.
Hearings continue March 11.
MEDICARE HMO REGULATION AND QUALITY
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare
HMO Regulation and Quality. Testimony was heard from Bruce C. Vladeck,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and
Human Services; and public witnesses.
FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
the Future of Social Security for this Generation and the Next. Testimony was
heard from the following members of the Advisory Council on Social Security:
Robert M. Ball; Sylvester J. Schieber; and Edward M. Gramlich, Chairman.
IRAN TERRORISM
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
briefing on Iran Terrorism. The Committee was briefed by departmental
witnesses.
1997/03/10
Daily Digest - Monday, March 10, 1997; pages D206 - D210
Committee Meetings
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation continued hearings
on the GAO. Testimony was heard from John Anderson, Director, Transportation
Issues, GAO.
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Government Management, Information, and Technology: Subcommittee
on Government Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on
Government Performance and Results Act Implementation: How to Achieve Results.
Testimony was heard from L. Nye Stevens, Director, Federal Management and
Workforce Issues, General Government Division, GAO; Dwight P. Robinson, Deputy
Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development; John Dyer, Acting
Principal Deputy Commissioner, SSA; and Ron Stewart, Acting Deputy Chief,
Programs and Legislation, Forest Service, USDA.
Hearings continue March 13.
COAST GUARD DRUG INTERDICTION EFFORTS
Committee on Government Management, Information and Technology: Subcommittee
on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held a
hearing on Coast Guard Drug Interdiction Efforts in the Transit Zone.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the U.S. Coast Guard,
Department of Transportation: Adm. Robert E. Kramek, USCG, Commandant; Lt.
Commander Mike Burns, USCG, C-130 Aircraft Pilot; Lt. Commander Randy
Forrester, USCG, HU-25C Aircraft Pilot; Lt. Jim Carlson, USCG, Commanding
Officer, USCGC Vashon ; Boat Swain 1 Mark Fitzmorris, USCG, Boarding Officer,
USCGC Tampa ; and Adm. Paul A. Yost, former Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard.
1997/03/11
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 11, 1997; pages D212 - D222
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on marketing
and regulatory programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the USDA: Michael Dunn, Assistant Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory
Programs; Terry Medley, Administrator, Animal and Health Inspection Service;
Lon Hatamiya, Administrator, Agriculture and Marketing Service; James R.
Baker, Administrator, Grain Packers and Stockyards Administration; and Stephen
B. Dewhurst, Budget Officer, Department of Agriculture.
COMMERCE-JUSTICE-STATE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on Secretary of Commerce. Testimony was heard from
William M. Daley, Secretary of Commerce.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on Bureau
of Land Management. Testimony was heard from Sylvia Baca, Interim Director,
Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Secretary of Education, and on Elementary and
Secondary Education and Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Education: Richard W. Riley, Secretary; Gerald N. Tirozzi, Assistant
Secretary, Elementary and Secondary Education; Delia Pompa, Director, Office
of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs; and Thomas Corwin,
Director, Elementary, Secondary and Vocational Analysis Division, Budget
Service.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on Air Force. Testimony was heard from Rodney Coleman, Assistant
Secretary, Air Force, Management, Personnel Affairs, Installations and
Environment, Department of the Air Force.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security held a hearing
on fiscal year 1998 Air Force Budget overview. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Air Force: Sheila E. Widnall,
Secretary; and Gen. Ronald R. Fogelman, USAF, Chief of Staff.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
National Transportation Safety Board and on the Office of Inspector General.
Testimony was heard from James E. Hall, Chairman, National Transportation
Safety Board; and Joyce Fleischman, Acting Inspector General, Department of
Transportation.
TREASURY-POSTAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the National Park Service, on the
Executive Office of the President, and on OMB. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior:
Terry Carlstrom, Acting Regional Director, National Capitol Region; and James
McDaniel, Associate Regional Director, White House Liaison; the following
officials of the Office of Administration: Ada L. Posey, Acting Director; and
Jurg Hochuli, Associate Director, Financial Management Division; and Franklin
D. Raines, Director, OMB.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Testimony was heard from Harris Wofford, CEO, Corporation for National and
Community Service.
DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY--GEOGRAPHIC TARGETING ORDER
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on General Oversight
and Investigations held a hearing on the use of the Department of the Treasury
Geographic Targeting Order. Testimony was heard from Barry McCaffrey,
Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy; Raymond Kelly, Under
Secretary, Enforcement, Department of the Treasury; Robert Litt, Deputy
Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice; and Howard Safir,
Commissioner, Policy Department, City of New York.
[Page: D217]
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1997
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and
Community Development continued hearings on H.R. 2, Housing Opportunity and
Responsibility Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Susan Gaffney, Inspector
General, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Steven Goldsmith, Mayor,
Indianapolis, Indiana; and public witnesses.
MEDICAID REFORM
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Medicaid Reform: the Governor's View. Testimony was heard from William
Scanlon, Director, Health Financing Systems, Health, Education, and Human
Services, GAO; Gail Wilensky, Chair, Board of Directors, Physician Payment
Review Commission; the following Governors: Michael O. Leavitt, State of Utah;
and Bob Miller, State of Nevada; and a public witness.
D.C. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on the District of
Columbia, approved for full Committee action as amended H.R. 514, to permit
waiver of District of Columbia residency requirements for certain employees of
the Office of the Inspector General of the District of Columbia.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Government Reform and Management: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information and Technology approved for full Committee action the
following bills: H.R. 173, to amend the Federal Property and Administrative
Services Act of 1949 to authorize donation of surplus law enforcement canines
to their handlers; H.R. 680, to amend the Federal Property and Administrative
Services Act of 1949 to authorize the transfer to States of surplus personal
property for donation to nonprofit providers of necessaries to impoverished
families and individuals; and H.R. 930, Travel and Transportation Reform Act
of 1997.
NEWLY INDEPENDENT STATES--U.S. ASSISTANCE
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on U.S. Assistance to the
Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union. Testimony was heard from
Ambassador Richard Morningstar, Coordinator, U.S. Assistance to the Newly
Independent States, Department of State; and Thomas Dine, Assistant
Administrator, Europe and the Newly Independent States, AID, U.S.
International Development Cooperation Agency.
FOREIGN RELATIONS REAUTHORIZATION
Committe on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights held a hearing on Foreign Relations Reauthorization for FY
1998: Refugees and Migration. Testimony was heard from Phyllis E. Oakley,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Department
of State.
DOD CHEMICAL WEAPONS DESTRUCTION; BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on National Security, Subcommittee on Military Procurement held a
hearing on the Department of Defense program for the destruction of chemical
weapons stockpile and fiscal year 1998 budget request. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Gilbert F. Decker,
Assistant Secretary, Army (Research, Development and Acquisition); Michael A.
Parker, Deputy to the Commander, Program Manager, Assembled Chemical Munitions
Demilitarization Alternatives, Chemical and Biological Defense Command; and
Theodore Prociv, Deputy Assistant to the Secretary, Office of the Under
Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology), Nuclear, Chemical and
Biological Defense Programs (Chemical/Biological Matters).
ARMY MODERNIZATION
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and the
Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on Army
modernization. Testimony was heard from Gilbert F. Decker, Assistant
Secretary, Army (Research, Development and Acquisition), Department of
Defense.
MEASURING READINESS
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a
hearing on measuring readiness. Testimony was heard from Mark Gebicke,
Director, Military Operations and Capabilities, GAO; and the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Louis Finch, Deputy Under Secretary
(Readiness); Brig. Gen. Stephen B. Plummer, USAF, Deputy Director, Current
Readiness and Capabilities, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Maj. Gen. D. C. Grange,
Director, Operations, Readiness and Mobilization, Department of the Army; Rear
Adm. John Craine, Jr., USN, Director, Assessments, Department of the Navy;
Maj. Gen. Donald L. Peterson, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and
Operations, Department of the Air Force; and Brig. Gen. Matthew Broderick,
USMC, Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policy and Operations Division,
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and Mark Gebicke, Director, Military
Operations and Capabilities, GAO.
[Page: D218]
STATE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION ACT PROGRAM--FEDERAL FUNDING
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on Federal funding of the State Land and Water Conservation Act
Program. Testimony was heard from Kate Stevenson, Associate Director, Cultural
Resources Stewardship and Partnership, National Park Service, Department of
the Interior; Donald W. Murphy, Director, Department of Parks and Recreation,
State of California; and public witnesses.
PAPERWORK ELIMINATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 852, Paperwork Elimination Act of 1997. The rule accords
priority in recognition to those Members who have pre-printed their amendments
in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration. The rule provides
one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Talent and Representative LaFalce.
BALANCED BUDGET
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on H. Res. 89,
requesting the President to submit a budget for fiscal year 1998 that would
balance the Federal budget by fiscal year 2002 without relying on budgetary
contingencies. The rule provides two hours of debate equally divided and
controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on the Budget
or their designees. Finally the rule provides one motion to recommit, which
may contain instructions if offered by the Minority Leader or his designee. If
the motion includes instructions, then it shall be debatable for five minutes
by the proponent and five minutes by an opponent. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Sununu, Granger, Pitts, Spratt, Minge, Stenholm, and Tauscher.
BUDGET AUTHORIZATION--EPA
Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, held hearing on
Fiscal Year 1998 Budget Authorization Request: EPA Research and Development.
Testimony was heard from Joseph K. Alexander, Deputy Assistant Administrator,
Research and Development, EPA; Stanley J. Czerwinski, Associate Director,
Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division, GAO; and a public
witness.
ISTEA REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation continued hearings on Member policy initiatives and requests
for highway and transit projects in the ISTEA Reauthorization. Testimony was
heard from Members of Congress; and Kirk Fordice, Governor, State of
Mississippi.
Hearings continue March 13.
MEDICARE DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE HOSPITAL PAYMENTS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Teaching
Hospitals and Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments. Testimony was
heard from Joseph Newhouse, Chairman, Prospective Payment Assessment
Commission; Gail Wilensky, Chair, Physician Payment Review Commission; and
public witnesses.
BUDGET AUTHORIZATIONS--CUSTOMS, INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION, OFFICE OF
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on Budget
Authorizations for Fiscal Year 1998 and 1999 for the U.S. Customs, the U.S.
International Trade Commission, and the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative. Testimony was heard from George J. Weise, Commissioner, U.S.
Customs Service, Department of the Treasury; Jeffrey M. Lang, Deputy U.S.
Trade Representative; Marcia E. Miller, Chairman, U.S. International Trade
Commission; the following officials of the GAO: Norman J. Rabkin, Director,
Administration of Justice Issues, General Government Division; and JayEtta Z.
Hecker, Associate Director, International Relations and Trade Issues, National
Security and International Affairs Division; and public witnesses.
SPECIAL NAVY BRIEFING
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
Briefing: Special Navy. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses.
1997/03/12
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 12, 1997; pages D224 - D234
Committee Meetings
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 111, to
authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of unused
agricultural land in Dos Palos, CA, to the Dos Palos Ag Boosters for use as a
farm school; H.R. 394, to provide for the release of the reversionary interest
held by the United States in certain property located in the County of Iosco,
MI; H.R. 785, to designate the J. Phil Campbell, Senior, Natural Resource
Conservation Center; and H.R. 1000, to require States to establish a system to
prevent prisoners from being considered part of any household for purposes of
determining eligibility of the household for food stamp benefits to be
provided to the household under the Food Stamp Act of 1997.
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition,
and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing on the status of the electronic benefit
transfer system for the food stamp program. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the USDA: Mary Ann Keeffe, Acting Under Secretary,
D228Food and Consumer Services; and Roger Viadero, Inspector General; Bob
Rasor, Deputy Assistant Director, Office of Investigation, U.S. Secret
Service, Department of the Treasury; G. Edward De Seve, Controller, OMB; and
public witnesses.
[Page: D228]
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies continued appropriation
hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress and public witnesses.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on food safety. Testimony was heard from
Ron Billy, Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on United States Information Agency/International
Broadcasting. Testimony was heard from Joseph Duffy, Director, United States
Information Agency; and David Burke, Chairman, Board of International
Broadcasters.
The Subcommittee also met in executive session to hold a hearing on
Counterterrorism. Testimony was heard from Louis J. Freeh, Director, FBI,
Department of Justice; and the following officials of the Department of State:
Ambassador Philip Wilcox, Coordinator, Counterterrorism; and Eric Boswell,
Assistant Secretary, Diplomatic Security.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held
a hearing on Nuclear Waste Management and Disposal. Testimony was heard from
the Department of Energy: Lake H. Barrett, Acting Director, Civilian Radio
Active Waste Management; and Alvin Alm, Assistant Secretary, Environmental
Management.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on Fish
and Wildlife Service. Testimony was heard from John Rogers, Acting Director,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Vocational and Adult Education; Special
Education; Rehabilitative Services, and on Postsecondary Education. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Education:
Patricia W. McNeil, Assistant Secretary, Vocational and Adult Education;
Judith E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary, Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services; and David Longanecker, Assistant Secretary, Postsecondary Education.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a
hearing on Housing Privatization Effort. Testimony was heard from John
Goodman, Deputy Under Secretary, Industrial Affairs and Installations,
Department of Defense.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security held a hearing
on Air Force Acquisition Programs. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of the Air Force: Arthur L. Money, Assistant
Secretary, Acquisition; and Lt. Gen. George K. Muellner, USAF, Principal
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Acquisition.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
the Coast Guard. Testimony was heard from Adm. Robert E. Kramek, USCG,
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the U.S. Postal Service. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the U.S. Postal Service: Michael S.
Coughlin, Deputy Postmaster General; and Mary S. Elcano, Senior Vice President
and General Counsel.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on Community Development Financial Institutions and on National
Credit Union Administration. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of the Treasury: Robert E. Rubin, Secretary; and Kristen
Moy, Head, Community Development Financial Institutions; and Norman E.
D'Amours, Chairman, National Credit Union Administration.
[Page: D229]
FINANCIAL SERVICES MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities and Government Sponsored Enterprises continued hearings on
financial services modernization. Testimony was heard from Representative
Leach; and public witnesses.
CORRECTING THE CPI
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on correcting the CPI. Testimony was
heard from Katharine Abraham, Commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Department of Labor; and Michael Boskin, Professor of Economics, Stanford
University.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment approved for
full Committee action the following: H.R. 968, to amend Title XVIII and XIX of
the Social Security Act to permit a waiver of the prohibition of offering
nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs in certain nursing
facilities; and H.R. 1001, to extend the term of appointment of certain
members of the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission and the Physician
Payment Review Commission.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ACQUISITION STRATEGY
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Ordered reported the following
bills: H.R. 173, to amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act
of 1949 to authorize donation of surplus law enforcement canines to their
handlers; H.R. 680, to amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services
Act of 1949 to authorize the transfer to States of surplus personal property
for donation to nonprofit providers of necessaries to impoverished families
and individuals; H.R. 930, Travel and Transportation Act of 1997; H.R. 514,
amended, to permit waiver of District of Columbia residency requirements for
certain employees of the Office of the Inspector General of the District of
Columbia; H.R. 240, amended, Veteran's Employment Opportunities Act of 1997.
The Committee also approved the following draft report entitled "A Citizen's
Guide on Using the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974 to
Request Government Records".
The Committee also continued hearings on Federal Communications System
Acquisition Strategy (post FTS 2000): An Industry Perspective. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
COMMITTEE FUNDING
Committee on House Oversight: Ordered reported amended H. Res. 91, providing
amounts for the expenses of certain committees of the House of
Representatives.
The Committee also considered pending Committee business.
U.S.-RUSSIAN RELATIONS
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on U.S.-Russian
Relations. Testimony was heard from Ambassador-at-Large James F. Collins, New
Independent States, Department of State.
DEMOCRATIC CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN SOUTH ASIA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on Democratic Continuity and Change in South Asia. Testimony
was heard from Robin L. Raphel, Assistant Secretary, South Asian Affairs,
Department of State; and public witnesses.
WESTERN HEMISPHERE--ROUNDTABLE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held
a hearing on the Western Hemisphere Today: A Roundtable Discussion. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 908, to
establish a Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of
Appeals; H.R. 929, amended, Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1997; H.R. 924,
amended, Victim Allocution Clarification Act of 1997; H.R. 927, United States
Marshals Service Improvement Act; H.R. 400, amended, 21st Century Patent
System Improvement Act; and H.R. 672, amended, to make technical amendments to
certain provisions of title 17, United States Code.
DOD AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Continued hearings on fiscal year 1998
Department of Defense authorization request. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Togo D. West, Jr., Secretary
of the Army; John H. Dalton, Secretary of the Navy; and Sheila E. Widnall,
Secretary of the Air Force.
Hearings continue March 19.
B-2 BOMBER
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement held a
hearing on B-2 Bomber program. Testimony was heard from Representative Dicks;
and public witnesses.
REFORM INITIATIVES
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a
hearing on reform initiatives. D230Testimony was heard from David R. Warren,
Director, Defense Management Issues, GAO; the following officials of the
Department of Defense: John B. Goodman, Deputy Under Secretary (Industrial
Affairs and Installations); Maj. Gen. Randolph W. House, USA, Assistant Chief
of Staff, Installations Management, Department of the Army; Rear Adm. John T.
Scudi, USN, Director, Shore Installation Management; Brig Gen. Hugh Cameron,
USAF, Commander, Air Force Center for Quality and Management Innovations,
Department of the Air Force; and Maj. Gen. Joseph D. Stewart, USMC, Deputy
Chief of Staff, Installations Management, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and
public witnesses.
[Page: D230]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported amended the following bills: H.R.
752, Citizen's Fair Hearing Act of 1997, and H.R. 757, American Samoa
Development Act of 1997.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT--BUREAU OF RECLAMATION AND OROVILLE-TONASKET IRRIGATION
DISTRICT
Committee on Rules: Granted an open rule providing 1 hour of debate on H.R.
412, to approve a settlement agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and
the Oroville-Tonasket Irrigation District. The rule makes in order the
Committee on Resources amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed in
the bill as an original bill for amendment purposes. The amendment in the
nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. Finally, the rule provides
one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Doolittle and Miller of California.
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE TO MEXICO--DISAPPROVING CERTIFICATION
Committee on Rules: Granted a modified closed rule providing for consideration
in the House with two hours of debate on H.J. Res. 58, disapproving the
certification of the President under section 490(b) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 regarding foreign assistance for Mexico during fiscal year 1997.
The rule waives all points of order against the committee amendment printed in
the joint resolution.
The rule provides for separate consideration of the amendment printed in the
report of the Committee on Rules for a time specified in the report, to be
equally divided between the proponent and an opponent and all points of order
against said amendment are waived. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Gilman and Representatives Hastert, Shaw, Schiff, Stearns, Hamilton and Reyes.
U.S. AND ANTARCTICA IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Committee on Science: Held a hearing on the U.S. and Antarctica in the 21st
Century. Testimony was heard from Norman Augustine, Chairman, U.S. Antarctic
Program External Panel, NSF.
Prior to the hearing, the Committee met for organizational purposes.
EPA'S PARTICULATE MATTER AND OZONE STANDARDS
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on
EPA's Particulate Matter and Ozone Standards. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
NASA AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
Fiscal Year 1998 NASA Authorization, Aeronautics and Advanced Space
Transportation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of NASA:
Robert E. Whitehead, Associate Administrator, Aeronautics and Space
Transportation Technology; and Gary E. Payton, Deputy Associate Administrator
(Space Transportation Technology) and Director, Space Transportation Division.
COMMUNITY RENEWAL INITIATIVES
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on community renewal initiatives
for low income areas. Testimony was heard from Representative Watts of
Oklahoma; and public witnesses.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Met to consider pending
Committee business.
The Committee also approved the Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year
1998 for transmission to the Committee on the Budget.
AMTRAK CURRENT STATE
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held
a hearing on the Current State of Amtrak. Testimony was heard from Don
Otzkoff, Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of
Transportation; Phyllis Scheinberg, Associate Director, Transportation Issues,
GAO; and Thomas M. Downs, Chairman, President, and CEO, National Railroad
Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK).
SUPERFUND REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Superfund Reauthorization: Views
D231of EPA. Testimony was heard from Carol M. Browner, Administrator, EPA.
[Page: D231]
SOCIAL SECURITY ACT AMENDMENTS--NURSE AIDE TRAINING
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported H.R. 968, to amend title XVIII
and XIX of the Social Security Act to permit a waiver of the prohibition of
offering nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs in certain
nursing facilities.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET--REVENUE RAISING PROVISIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on Revenue Raising Provisions in
the Administration's Fiscal Year Budget Proposal. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS; BUDGET--INTELLIGENCE REQUIREMENTS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
consider pending business.
The Committee also held a hearing on the Budget--Intelligence Requirements.
Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
1997/03/13
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 13, 1997; pages D235 - D244
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Rural
Development. Testimony was heard from Jill Long Thompson, Under Secretary,
Rural Development, USDA.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Supreme Court, the Architect of the Capitol,
the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Testimony was heard from the following Justices of the Supreme Court: Anthony
M. Kennedy; and David H. Souter; Alan M. Hantman, Architect of the Capitol;
Reed E. Hunt, Chairman, FCC; and Larry Irving, Assistant Secretary,
Communications and Information, Department of Commerce.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held
a hearing on Energy Resources. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Energy; Martha A. Krebes, Director, Energy
Research; Christine Ervin, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy; and Terry R. Lash, Assistant Secretary, Nuclear Energy.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on Security Assistance.
Testimony was heard from Walter B. Slocombe, Under Secretary, Policy,
Department of Defense; and Thomas McNamara, Assistant Secretary,
Political-Military Affairs, Department of State.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
National Endowments for the Arts and the National Endowments for the
Humanities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the National
Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities; Jane Alexander, Chairman, National
Endowments for the Arts; and Sheldon Hackney, Chairman, National Endowments
for the Humanities.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Educational Research and Improvements, the
Office of Inspector General, on Howard University and Special Institutions for
the Disabled. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Education: Marshall S. Smith, Under Secretary; Thomas R. Bloom,
Inspector General; H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University; Judith E.
Heumann, Assistant Secretary, Special Education and Rehabilitative Services;
Tuck Tinsley, III, President, American Printing House for the Blind; I. King
Jordan, President, Gallaudet University; Robert R. Davila, Vice President and
Wendell S. Thompson, Associate Director, both with the National Technical
Institute for the Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology; Ramon F. Rodriguez,
Liaison Officer, Office of Special Institutions, Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services; Thomas P. Skelly, Director, Budget Service,
Office of the Under Secretary; and Carol Cichowski, Director, Division of
Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Research Analysis, Budget Service,
Office of the Under Secretary.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction continued
appropriations hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress and
public witnesses.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security held a hearing
on Fiscal Year 1998 Army Budget Overview and on Army Acquisition Programs.
Testimony was heard from the Department of the Army: Togo D. West, Jr.,
Secretary; Gen. Dennis J. Reimer, USA, Chief of Staff; Gilbert D240F. Decker,
Assistant Secretary, Research, Development and Acquisition; Lt. Gen. Ronald V.
Hite, USA, Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary (Research, Development
and Acquisition).
[Page: D240]
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
the Federal Highway Administration and on the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Transportation: Jane Garvey, Acting Administrator, Federal
Highway Administration; and Ricardo Martinez, Administrator, National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the Federal Election Commission.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the FEC: John Warren
McGarry, Chairman; Joan D. Aikens, Vice Chairman; and Scott E. Thomas,
Commissioner.
MULTILATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on Multilateral Development
Banks. Testimony was heard from William E. Schuerch, Acting Deputy Assistant
Secretary, International Development, Debt and Environment Policy, Department
of the Treasury.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 968, to
amend Title XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to permit a waiver of the
prohibition of offering nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs
in certain nursing facilities; and H.R. 1001, to extend the term of
appointment of certain members of the Prospective Payment Assessment
Commission and the Physician Payment Review Commission.
ASSISTED SUICIDE FUNDING RESTRICTION ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment approved for
full Committee action amended H.R. 1003, Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction
Act of 1997.
EDUCATION INITIATIVES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing on the
Administration's Education initiatives. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Saxton and Green; and public witnesses.
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE RESULTS ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology concluded hearings on the Government
Performance and Results Act Implementation: How to Achieve Results. Testimony
was heard from Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mayor, City of New York.
HHS'S DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM--INFANT MORTALITY
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
and Intergovernmental Relations held a hearing on HHS's Demonstration Program:
"Healthy Start: Implementation Lessons and Impact on Infant Mortality."
Testimony was heard from Representatives Cummings, Stokes, and Thompson; from
the following officials of the Public Health Service, Department of Health and
Human Services: Audrey Nora, M.D., Director, Maternal and Child Health Bureau,
Health Resources and Services Administration; James Marks, M.D., Director,
Chronic Disease Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Duane
Alexander, M.D., Director, Institute of Child Health and Human Development,
NIH; and Lisa Simpson, Acting Administrator, Agency for Health Care Policy and
Research; and public witnesses.
DRUG FREE COMMUNITY ACT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice approved for full
Committee action amended H.R. 956, Drug-free Communities Act of 1997.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on this bill. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Portman and Levin; and public witnesses.
COMMITTEE FUNDING
Committee on House Oversight: Ordered reported amended H. Res. 91, providing
amounts for the expenses of certain committees of the House of
Representatives.
U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE--POLICY
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Foreign Assistance and
U.S. Foreign Policy. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
AFRICA-U.S. DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE IMPACT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on
the Impact of U.S. Development Assistance in Africa. Testimony was heard
D241from George Moose, Assistant Secretary, Africa, Department of State; Carol
Peasley, Acting Administrator, Africa, AID, U.S. International Development
Cooperation Agency; and public witnesses.
[Page: D241]
FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights held a hearing on Foreign Relations Authorization for FY
1998: U.S. Information Agency and National Endowment for Democracy. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the U.S. Information Agency: Joseph
D. Duffey, Director; and David Burke, Chairman, Broadcasting Board of
Governors; and Carl Gershman, President, National Endowment for Democracy.
PRIVATE BILLS; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims considered
a private immigration bill and a private claims bill.
The Committee also met for organizational purposes.
MILITARY HOUSING REVITALIZATION
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities held a hearing on revitalization of military housing. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: John B.
Goodman, Deputy Under Secretary (Industrial Affairs and Installations); Paul
W. Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and
Facilities); Duncan Holaday, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy
(Installations and Facilities); and Jimmy G. Dishner, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Air Force (Installations).
MILITARY COMPENSATION REFORM
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a
hearing on military compensation reform and recruiting/retention issues.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Frederick Pang, Assistant Secretary (Force Management Policy); Lt. Gen.
Frederick E. Vollrath, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Department of
the Army; Vice Adm. Daniel T. Oliver, USN, Chief, Naval Personnel, Department
of the Navy; Lt. Gen. Michael D. McGinty, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff,
Personnel, Department of the Air Force; and Lt. Gen. Carol A. Mutter, USMC,
Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine
Corps.
RUSSIAN MISSILE DETARGETING AND NUCLEAR DOCTRINE
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Research and
Development held a hearing on Russian Missile Detargeting and Nuclear
Doctrine. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on the following measures: H.R. 39, to reauthorize the
African Elephant Conservation Act; and H. Con. Res. 8, expressing the sense of
Congress with respect to the significance of maintaining the health and
stability of coral reef ecosystems. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Cunningham and Deutsch; Terry D. Garcia, Acting Assistant Secretary, Oceans
and Atmosphere and Deputy Administrator, NOAA, Department of Commerce;
Marshall Jones, Assistant Director, International Affairs, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
DISPOSAL OF FEDERAL LANDS--ACQUISITION OF SENSITIVE LAND
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on H.R. 449, to provide for the orderly disposal of certain Federal
lands in Clark County, Nevada, and to provide for the acquisition of
environmentally sensitive lands in the State of Nevada. Testimony was heard
from Senators Reid and Bryan; Mat Millenbach, Deputy Director, Bureau of Land
Management, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
NSF AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Basic Research continued hearings on the
NSF Fiscal Year 1998 Authorization, Part II: Math, Science, and Engineering
Education Programs. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
NOAA BUDGET AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on
Fiscal Year 1998 Budget Authorization Request: NOAA. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Commerce: D. James Baker,
Administrator, NOAA, and Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmospheres; and Frank
DeGeorge, Inspector General; and Joel Willemssen, Director, Accounting and
Information Management Division, GAO.
[Page: D242]
NASA AUTHORIZATION: SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
Fiscal Year NASA Authorization: Space Shuttle Program. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of NASA: Steve Oswald, Deputy Associate
Administrator (Space Shuttle); and Paul M. Johnstone, Chairman, Aerospace
Safety Panel; and a public witness.
FAA RESEARCH-ENGINEERING-DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on FAA
Research, Engineering and Development. Testimony was heard from George L.
Donohue, Associate Administrator, Research and Acquisitions, FAA, Department
of Transportation; and a public witness.
ISTEA REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation continued hearings on Member policy initiatives and requests
for highway and transit projects in the ISTEA Reauthorization. Testimony was
heard from Members of Congress and public witnesses.
MEDICARE PREVENTIVE BENEFIT IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on H.R. 15,
Medicare Preventive Benefit Improvement Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from
Speaker Gingrich; Representatives Sisisky, Nethercutt and Furse; and public
witnesses.
BUDGET AUTHORIZATIONS--CUSTOMS, INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION, OFFICE OF THE
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade approved for full Committee
action Budget Authorizations for Fiscal Year 1998 and 1999 for the U.S.
Customs Service, the International Trade Commission, and the Office of the
U.S. Trade Representative.
AIRBORNE RECONNAISSANCE
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Technical and
Tactical Intelligence met in executive session to hold a hearing on Airborne
Reconnaissance. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
1997/03/14
Daily Digest - Friday, March 14, 1997; pages D245 - D252
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies continued appropriation
hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on the U.S. Trade Representative and the SEC.
Testimony was heard from Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative
Designee; and Arthur Levitt, Jr., Chairman, SEC.
1997/03/17
Daily Digest - Monday, March 17, 1997; pages D253 - D256
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/03/18
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 18, 1997; pages D257 - D266
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE TRADE
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing on Agriculture Trade into the 21st
century. Testimony was heard from Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Federal Drug Administration and Related Agencies held a hearing on
Departmental Administration and Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Pearlie Reed,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Administration; Irwin T. David, Acting Chief
Financial Officer; and Anne F. Thomson Reed, Acting Chief Information Officer.
The Subcommittee also continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard
from Members of Congress and public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Department of Commerce and on the
International Trade Administration/International Trade Commission. Testimony
was heard from Stuart E. Eizenstat, Under Secretary, International Trade
Administration, Department of Commerce; and Marcia E. Miller, Chairman, U. S.
International Trade Commission.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on
Geological Survey and on Secretary of Energy. Testimony was heard from Gordon
P. Eaton, Director, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; and
Federico PenAE6a, Secretary of Energy.
[Page: D261]
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the National Institute of Mental Health, the
National Institute of Aging, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke, and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human
Services: Dennis P. Williams, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Budget; Steven E.
Hyman, M.D., Director, Richard K. Nakamura, M.D., Associate Director, Science
Policy, William T. Fitzsimmons, Executive Officer, Gemma M. Weiblinger,
Special Assistant to the Director and J. Richard Pine, Budget Officer, all
with the National Institute of Mental Health; Richard J. Hodes, M.D.,
Director, National Institute of Aging; Harold Varmus, M.D., Director, NIH;
Zach W. Hall, M.D., Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke; and Marvin Cassman, M.D., Director, National Institute of General
Medical Sciences.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
the FAA. Testimony was heard from Barry Valentine, Acting Administrator, FAA,
Department of Transportation.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the National Archives. Testimony was
heard from John W. Carlin, Archivist of the United States, National Archives
and Records Administration.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Testimony
was heard from Andrew M. Cuomo, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on H.R. 607,
Homeowners Insurance Protection Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Hansen, Kennedy of Massachusetts and Waters; Michael Stamper, Executive, Vice
President, Risk Management, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; and public
witnesses.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on the reauthorization of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Act
(SAMSHA). Testimony was heard from Nelba R. Chavez, Administrator, Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Health and
Human Services; Frankie Sue Del Papa, Attorney General, State of Nevada; and
public witnesses.
MANDATORY UNION DUES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-Employee
Relations held a hearing on mandatory union dues. Testimony was heard from
Representative Torres; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--HHS AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS; MISSION MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
continued oversight hearings on the Department of Health and Human Services
and the Department of Veterans' Affairs: Mission, Management, and Performance.
Testimony was heard from June Gibbs Brown, Inspector General, Department of
Health and Human Services; the following officials of the GAO: Richard L.
Hembra, Assistant Comptroller General, Health, Education and Human Services;
Thomas G. Dowdal, Assistant Director, Health Financing and Public Health
Issues; and David P. Baine, Director, Federal Health Care Delivery Issues; and
William Merriman, Deputy Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs.
OPIC--AUTHORIZE, PRIVATIZE, REFORM OR TERMINATE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade held a hearing to review the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation--Authorize, Privatize, Reform, or Terminate. Testimony was heard
from Ruth Harkin, CEO, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, U.S.
International Development Cooperation Agency; and public witnesses.
FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights held a hearing on the Foreign Relations Authorization for FY
1998-99: International Organizations and Conferences. Testimony was heard from
Princeton Lyman, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International
Organization Affairs, Department of State.
[Page: D262]
TAX LIMITATION--CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.J. Res. 62, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States
with respect to tax limitation. Testimony was heard from Representative
Shadegg; and public witnesses.
MILITARY BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE PROCESS
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities held a hearing on current implementation issues in the base
realignment and closure process. Testimony was heard from John B. Goodman,
Deputy Under Secretary (Industrial Affairs and Installations), Department of
Defense; and Neil Singer, Deputy Assistant Director, National Security, CBO.
NEW ATTACK SUBMARINE PROGRAM
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement held a
hearing on the New Attack Submarine Program. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Navy: John W. Douglass, Assistant
Secretary, Navy, Research, Development and Acquisition; and Vice Adm. Donald
Tilling, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements and
Assessments; Ronald O'Rourke, Specialist in National Defense, Congressional
Research Service, Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
MILITARY DEPOT-LEVEL MAINTENANCE ISSUES
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a
hearing on depot-level maintenance issues. Testimony was heard from David R.
Warren, Director, Defense Management Issues, GAO; and the following officials
of the Department of Defense: Gen. Johnnie E. Wilson, USA, Commander, Army
Materiel Command; Vice Adm. George R. Sterner, USN, Commander, Naval Sea
Systems Command and Vice Adm. John A. Lockard, USN, Commander, Naval Air
Systems Command, both with the Department of the Navy; Gen. Henry Viccellio,
Jr., USAF, Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Department of the Air Force;
and Brig. Gen. Harry K. Barnes, USMC, Commander, Marine Corps Logistics Bases,
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--NATION'S FORESTS MANAGEMENT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Management of our Nation's forests and criteria for
determining healthy forests. Testimony was heard from Michael Dombeck, Chief,
Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
WORKING FAMILIES FLEXIBILITY ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted a modified closed rule providing 1 hour of debate
on H.R. 1, Working Families Flexibility Act of 1997. The rule makes in order
the Committee on Education and the Workforce amendment in the nature of a
substitute now printed in the bill as an original bill for the purpose of
amendment and provides that it shall be considered as read.
The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the report of the
Committee on Rules. The amendments made in order by this rule shall be
considered only in the order specified, 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, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall
not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in
the Committee of the Whole. The rule further provides that an amendment
designated to be offered by the chairman of the Committee on Education and the
Workforce or his designee may be offered en bloc with one or more other such
amendments.
Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Goodling and Representatives
Fawell, Ballenger, Clay, Miller of California and Owens.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Rules: Approved its Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year
1998 for transmission to the Committee on the Budget.
U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Basic Research held a hearing on the
fiscal year 1998 Authorization of the United States Fire Administration.
Testimony was heard from Carrye Brown, Administrator, U.S. Fire
Administration, FEMA; and public witnesses.
ISTEA REAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held
a hearing on the ISTEA Rail Infrastructure Programs. Testimony was heard from
Don Itzkoff, Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Department
of Transportation; Leo Howard, Chairman, Board of Directors, Rail Authority,
State of West Virginia; and public witnesses.
[Page: D263]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health approved for full
Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1001, to extend the term of
appointment of certain members of the Prospective Payment Assessment
Commission and the Physician Payment Review Commission; and H.R. 1003,
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997.
IRS BUDGET--TAX RETURN FILING SEASON
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on the
IRS Budget for fiscal year 1998 and the 1997 Tax Return Filing Season.
Testimony was heard from Representative Archer; Mike Dolan, Deputy
Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury; Lynda D. Willis, Director, Tax
Policy and Administration Issues, General Government Division, GAO; and public
witnesses.
U.S. TRADE POLICY OBJECTIVES AND INITIATIVES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on the U.S.
Trade Policy Objectives and Initiatives. Testimony was heard from
Representative Visclosky; Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade
Representative-designate; and public witnesses.
BUDGET--TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on the Budget--Technical Intelligence: Requirements, Collection,
Processing and Exploitation. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
1997/03/19
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 19, 1997; pages D267 - D278
Committee Meetings
TREATMENT OF MINORITY AND LIMITED RESOURCE PRODUCERS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition,
and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing to review treatment of minority and
limited resource producers by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Testimony was heard from Robert Robinson, Director, Food and Agriculture
Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Federal Drug Administration, and Related Agencies continued appropriation
hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress and public witnesses.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Natural Resources Conservation
Service. Testimony was heard from James R. Lyons, Under Secretary, Natural
Resources and Environment, USDA.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on Drug Enforcement and on International
Organizations and Peacekeeping. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Justice: Thomas A. Constantine, Administrator,
DEA; Carol DiBattiste, Director, Executive Office, U.S. Attorney; and Mary Lee
Warren, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Interagency
Crime, Drug Enforcement and Task Forces; and the following officials of the
Department of State: Ambassador Bill Richardson, U.S. Permanent Representative
to the United Nations; and Princeton N. Lyman, Acting Assistant Secretary,
International Organization Affairs.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held
a hearing on the Secretary of Energy. Testimony was heard from Federico
PenAE6a, Secretary of Energy.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on AID Administrator. Testimony
was heard from Brian Atwood, Administrator, AID, U.S. International
Development Cooperation Agency.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on
Smithsonian Institution. Testimony was heard from I. Michael Heyman,
Secretary, Smithsonian Institution.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Railroad Retirement Board; the U.S.
Institute of Peace; the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; and the National
Labor Relations Board. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Railroad Retirement Board: Martin J. Dickman, Inspector General, Glen L.
Bower, Chairman, V.M. Speakman, Jr., Labor Member, and Jerome F. Kever,
Management Member, Richard H. Solomon, President, U.S. Institute of Peace;
Ambassador Richard W. Carlson, President and CEO, The Corporation for Public
Broadcasting; and Fred Feinstein, General Counsel, National Labor Relations
Board.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security held a hearing
on Military Quality of Life and on Department of Defense Medical Programs.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
MCPO John Hagen, USN, Master Chief Petty Officer, Navy; Sgt. Maj. L.G. Lee,
USMC; CMS Eric W. Benken, USAF, Chief Master Sgt., Air Force; Stephen Joseph,
Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; Lt. Gen. Ronald Blanck, USA, Surgeon
General, Army; Vice Adm. Harold M. Hoenig, USN, Surgeon General, Navy; and Lt.
Gen. Charles H. Roadman, Jr., USAF, Surgeon General, Air Force.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
Federal Transit Administration and on Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority. Testimony was heard from Gordon Linton, Administrator, Federal
Transit Administration, Department of Transportation; and Richard White,
General Manager, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
[Page: D273]
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the Office of National Drug Control
Policy. Testimony was heard from Barry McCaffrey, Director, Office of National
Drug Control Policy.
VA, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
concluded hearings on the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Testimony was heard from Andrew M. Cuomo, Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development.
FINANCIAL SERVICES MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities and Government Sponsored Enterprises continued hearings on
Financial Services Modernization. Testimony was heard from Alan Greenspan,
Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System.
MEDICARE PROVIDER SERVICE NETWORKS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Medicare Provider Service Networks. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Greenwood and Stenholm; and public witnesses.
WTO TELECOM AGREEMENT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on WTO Telecom Agreement: Results and Next Steps.
Testimony was heard from Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative; Reed
E. Hundt, Chairman, FCC; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on the Postal
Service held an oversight hearing of the United States Postal Service:
Inspector General U.S. Postal Service; Governors of the U.S. Postal Service.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the U.S. Postal Service:
Karla W. Corcoran, Inspector General; Tirso del Junco, Chairman; Susan E.
Alvarado, Bert H. Mackie, Einar V. Dyhrkopp and S. David Fineman, all
Governors.
OVERSIGHT--OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE
Committee on House Oversight: Held an oversight hearing on Office of
Compliance. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Office of
Compliance: Glen Nager, Chairman; Ricky Silberman, Executive Director; and
Lawrence Lorber, Board member.
AFRICA'S NATURAL RESOURCES
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on
Economic Development of Africa's Natural Resources. Testimony was heard from
Representative Shaw; and public witnesses.
HELMS-BURTON CHALLENGES
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade, hearing on Interfering with U.S. National Security
Interests: The World Trade Organization and the European Union Challenge to
the Helms-Burton bill. Testimony was heard from Senator Torricelli;
Representatives Diaz-Balart and Menendez; and public witnesses.
U.S. POLICY--WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
held an overview hearing on U.S. Policy in the Western Hemisphere. Testimony
was heard from Jeffrey Davidow, Assistant Secretary, Inter-American Affairs,
Department of State; and Mark Schneider, Assistant Administrator, Latin
American and Caribbean Affairs, AID, U.S. International Development
Cooperation Agency.
CHURCH ARSON PREVENTION ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on the implementation of
the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-155). Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Isabelle Katz
Pinzler, Acting Assistant Attorney General; and Patricia Glenn, National
Coordinator, Church Burning Response Team, Community Relations Service; James
E. Johnson, Assistant Secretary, Enforcement, Department of the Treasury;
Jacquie M. Lawing, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Economic Development Community
Planning and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
public witnesses.
DOD AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Continued hearings on the Administration's
fiscal year 1998 Department of Defense authorization. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of the Army: Gen. J. H. Binford
Peay, III, USA, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Central Command; George A. Joulwan,
USA, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. European Command; and Gen. Wesley K. Clark, USA,
Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Southern Command.
[Page: D274]
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND PANAMA CANAL COMMISSION AUTHORIZATIONS
Committee on National Security: Merchant Marine Panel held a hearing on fiscal
year 1998 Maritime Administration authorization request and related matters,
and the fiscal year 1998 Panama Canal Commission authorization request and
related matters. Testimony was heard from Albert J. Herberger, Administrator,
Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation; and the following
officials of the Panama Canal Commission: Joe R. Reeder, Under Secretary of
the Army and Chairman of the Board; and Alberto Aleman, Administrator.
DOD AUTHORIZATION--BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and
Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on
fiscal year 1998 Department of Defense authorization request--Ballistic
Missile Defense. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Brig. Gen. Curtis H. Emery, USA, Director, Theater Air
and Missile Defenses; and J. David Martin, Deputy for Strategic Relations,
both with the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization; and public witnesses.
U.S.-PUERTO RICO POLITICAL STATUS ACT
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 856, United States-Puerto Rico
Political Status Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Burton of
Indiana, Gutierrez, McCollum, Serrano, Deutsch, and Velazquez; Pedro Rossello,
Governor, Puerto Rico; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; OVERSIGHT--FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICES BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans approved for full Committee action the following measures: H.R. 39, to
reauthorize the African Elephant Conservation Act, and H. Con. Res. 8,
amended, expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the significance of
maintaining the health and stability of coral reef ecosystems.
The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on the budget request for the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services for Fiscal Year 1998. Testimony was heard from
John Rogers, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of
the Interior.
PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION BAN
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on H.R. 1122, to
amend title 18, United States Code, to ban partial-birth abortions. The rule
provides two hours of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman
and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. Finally the
rule provides one motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Hyde, Canady, Barr of Georgia, Greenwood, Conyers, Frank of Massachusetts,
Scott, Jackson-Lee, Hoyer, and Obey.
COMMITTEE FUNDING
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a modified closed rule on H.
Res. 91, providing amounts for the expenses of certain committees of the House
of Representatives in the One Hundred Fifth Congress, without the intervention
of any point of order. The rule provides that the Committee on House Oversight
amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the resolution shall be
considered as adopted. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided
and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
House Oversight.
The rule provides that the further amendment specified in the report of the
Committee on Rules, if offered by a member designated in the report, shall be
in order without intervention of any point of order, and shall be debatable
for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the
proponent and an opponent. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Thomas, Gejdenson, and Waxman.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on
fiscal year 1998 Budget Authorization Request: Department of Energy, Fossil
Energy R & D, Clean Coal Technology Program, and Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy and H.R. 363, to amend section 2118 of the Energy Policy Act
of 1992 to extend the Electric and Magnetic Fields Research and Public
Information Dissemination Program. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Energy: Patricia Fry Godley, Assistant
Secretary, Fossil Energy, and Christine A. Ervin, Assistant Secretary, Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Paul Gilman, Executive Director, Commission
of Life Sciences, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences; and
a public witness..
NASA AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
fiscal year 1998 NASA Authorization: Mission to Planet Earth. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of NASA: D275William F. Townsend, Associate
Administrator, Office of Mission to Planet Earth; and Sam Venneri, Chief
Technologist; Steven C. Wofsy; and public witnesses.
[Page: D275]
TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION AND NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on funding
needs for the Technology Administration and the National Institute of
Standards and Technology. Testimony was heard from Mary Good, Under Secretary,
Technology, Department of Commerce.
BUDGET REQUEST--U.S. COAST GUARD AND FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on the Administration's fiscal year
1998 budget request for the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Maritime
Commission. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Transportation: Adm. Robert Kramek, Commandant; Master Chief Petty Officer
Eric A. Trent, and Everette L. Tucker, Jr., USCG, Commodore, Auxiliary, all
with the U.S. Coast Guard; and Harold J. Creel, Jr., Chairman, Maritime
Commission; and public witnesses.
CALIFORNIA FLOODING
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on recent flooding in California.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Herger, Fazio, Pombo and Miller of
California; from the following officials of FEMA: James Lee Witt, Director;
and Lacy Suiter, Executive Associate Director, Response and Recovery Program;
Maj. Gen. Russell L. Fuhrman, USA, Director, Civil Works, Corps of Engineers,
Department of the Army; Warren M. Lee, Director, Watersheds and Wetlands,
USDA; Gerry A. Jackson, Deputy Assistant Director, Ecological Services, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; BUDGET PROPOSAL SAVING AND INVESTMENT PROVISIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for
Fiscal Year 1998 for transmission to the Committee on the Budget.
The Committee also held a hearing on savings and investment provisions in the
Administration's fiscal year 1998 budget proposal. Testimony was heard from
Representatives McCrery, Neal, Dunn, Christensen, Dreier, Cox of California,
Peterson of Minnesota, Deutsch, Pomeroy and McCarthy of Missouri; Jane G.
Gravelle, Senior Specialist, Economic Policy, Congressional Research Service,
Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
BUDGET--OVERHEAD COLLECTION
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in an executive session to
hold a hearing on the Budget--overhead collection. Testimony was heard from
departmental witnesses.
1997/03/20
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 20, 1997; pages D279 - D288
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Federal Drug Administration, and Related Agencies continued appropriation
hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Department of Commerce, Science and Technology
Programs and on the Department of State Administration of Foreign Affairs.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Commerce: Mary L. Good, Under Secretary, Technology, and Bruce A. Lehman,
Assistant Secretary and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks; and Patrick F.
Kennedy, Acting Under Secretary, Management, Department of State.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Secretary of Agriculture and on the Forest Service Chief. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the USDA: Dan Glickman, Secretary; and Michael
Dombeck, Chief, Forest Service.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Office of AIDS Research, Office of D284the
Director, and Building and Facilities; the National Commission on Libraries;
the National Council on Disability; the Physician Payment Review Commission;
and on the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services:
William E. Paul, M.D., Director, Office of Aids Research, Harold Varmus, M.D.,
Director, and Ruth L. Kirschstein, M.D., Deputy Director, all with NIH; Dennis
P. Williams, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Budget; Jeanne Hurley Simon,
Chairperson, U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science;
Marca Bristo, Chairperson, National Council on Disability; Gail R. Wilensky,
Chair, Physician Payment Review Commission; and Joseph Newhouse, Chairman,
Prospective Payment Assessment Commission.
[Page: D284]
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in
executive session to hold a hearing on readiness. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Gen. Ronald H. Griffith,
USA, Vice Chief of Staff, Army; Adm. Harold W. Gehman, Jr., USN, Vice Chief of
Naval Operations; Gen. Richard I. Neal, USMC, Assistant Commandant, Marine
Corps; and Gen. Thomas S. Moorman, USAF, Vice Chief of Staff, Air Force.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on
the Federal Railroad Administration and on the National Railroad Passenger
Corporation. Testimony was heard from Jolene M. Molitoris, Administrator,
Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation; and Thomas M.
Downs, Chairman and President, National Railroad Passenger Corporation
(AMTRAK).
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government held a hearing on the GSA. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of GSA: David J. Barram, Acting Administrator, Robert A.
Peck, Commissioner, Public Building Service, and Robert J. Woods,
Commissioner, Federal Telecommunications Service.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered reported amended H.R.
607, Homeowners Insurance Protection Act;
The Committee also approved Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 1998
for transmission to the Committee on the Budget.
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on International Monetary Fund.
Testimony was heard from Timothy F. Geithner, Senior Deputy Assistant
Secretary, International Monetary and Financial Policy, Department of the
Treasury.
ASSISTED SUICIDE FUNDING RESTRICTION ACT OF 1997
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported amended H.R. 1003, Assisted Suicide
Funding Restriction Act of 1997.
LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND AMENDMENTS ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials
approved for full Committee action H.R. 688, Leaking Underground Storage Tank
Trust Fund Amendments Act of 1997.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on this measure.
Testimony was heard from Michael Shapiro, Acting Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, EPA; and public
witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; MISSION MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
and Intergovernmental Relations concluded oversight hearings on the Department
of Education: Mission, Management, and Performance. Testimony was heard from
Thomas R. Bloom, Inspector General, Department of Education; Cornelia M.
Blanchette, Associate Director, Education and Employment Issues, GAO; Beverly
Sgdro, Secretary of Education, State of Virginia; and a public witness.
DEFENSE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held a hearing on
Improving Defense Inventory Management. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: James B. Emahiser, Assistant Deputy
Under Secretary, Materiel and Distribution Management; and Jeffrey A. Jones,
Executive Director, Logistics Management, Defense Logistics Agency; the
following officials of the GAO: Henry L. Hinton, Jr., Assistant Comptroller
General; Kenneth R. D285Knouse, Jr., Assistant Director; and Robert L.
Repasky, Senior Evaluator; Jacques Gansler, Vice Chairman, Defense Science
Board; and a public witness.
[Page: D285]
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; ADMINISTRATION'S SECURITY ASSISTANCE REQUEST
Committee on International Relations: Approved Committee Budget and Estimates
for Fiscal Year 1998 for transmission to the Committee on the Budget.
The Committee also held a hearing on the Administration's Security Assistance
Request for fiscal year 1998. Testimony was heard from William S. Cohen,
Secretary of Defense.
SECURITY AND FREEDOM THROUGH ENCRYPTION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held a hearing on H.R. 695, Security and Freedom Through Encryption (SAFE)
Act. Testimony was heard from William Reinsch, Under Secretary, Bureau of
Export Administration, Department of Commerce; William Crowell, Deputy
Director, NSA, Department of Defense; Robert Litt, Deputy Assistant Attorney
General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
REFORMING JUVENILE JUSTICE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on reforming
juvenile justice in America and related legislative proposals. Testimony was
heard from Barbara O'Connor, Special Counsel, U.S. Sentencing Commission;
Patricia West, Secretary of Public Safety, State of Virginia; and public
witnesses.
MILITARY RESALE SYSTEM
Committee on National Security: Morale Welfare and Recreation Panel held a
hearing on military resale system. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Frederick F.Y. Pang, Assistant
Secretary (Force Management Policy); Maj. Gen. Richard Beale, Jr., USA,
Director, Defense Commissary Agency; Maj. Gen. Doug Bunger, USAF, Commander,
Army and Air Force Exchange Service; Rear Adm. Paul Soderberg, USN, Commander,
Navy Exchange Service Command; and Michael Tharrington, Acting Director, MWR
Support Activity, U.S. Marine Corps.
DOD AUTHORIZATION--INFORMATION WARFARE
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and
Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on
fiscal year 1998 Department of Defense authorization request--Information
Warfare. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Defense: Joan Dempsey, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Intelligence and Security);
Lt. Gen. Douglas D. Buchholz, USA, Director, Command, Control, Communications
and Computers Systems (J-6), The Joint Staff; Maj. Gen. David J. Kelley, USA,
Vice Director, Defense Information Systems Agency; Lt. Gen. Otto J. Guenther,
USA, Director, Information Systems, Command, Control, Communications and
Computers, Headquarters, Department of the Army; Vice Adm. Arther K.
Cebrowski, USN, Director, Navy Space, Information Warfare, Command and
Control, Chief of Naval Operations; Lt. Gen. Paul K. Van Riper, USMC,
Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; Lt. Gen. William
L. Donahue, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications and Information,
Headquarters, Department of the Air Force; Maj. Gen. John P. Casciano, USAF,
Director, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, DSC Air and Space
Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; Brig. Gen. Charles R. Henderson,
USAF, Director, Command and Control, DCS Air and Space Operations,
Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; Brig. Gen. Robert T. Clark, USA, Deputy Chief of
Staff, Combat Development, Training and Doctrine, Headquarters, U.S. Army
Training and Doctrine Command; and Marvin Langston, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Navy C41/Electronic Warfare/Space Programs, Office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition); and a public
witness.
OVERSIGHT-BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT RULEMAKING: HARDROCK MINING OPERATIONS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing on Bureau of Land Management final rulemaking on bonding of
hardrock mining operations: Why was there no meaningful public comment
solicited? Testimony was heard from John Leshy, Solicitor, Department of the
Interior; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 799, to require the Secretary of
Agriculture to make a minor adjustment in the exterior boundary of the Hells
Canyon Wilderness in the States of Oregon and Idaho to exclude an established
Forest Service road inadvertently included in the wilderness, and H.R. 838, to
require adoption of a management plan for Hells Canyon National Recreation
Area that allows appropriate use of motorized and D286nonmotorized river craft
in the recreation area. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the National Forest System, USDA: Lyle Laverty, Acting Associate Deputy Chief;
and Robert Richmond, Forest Supervisor, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest; and
public witnesses.
[Page: D286]
CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing on Central Valley Project Operations and Administration Reform
Process. Testimony was heard from John Garamendi, Deputy Secretary, Department
of the Interior.
COMMITTEE FUNDING
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a recorded vote of 9 to 2, a closed rule on H.
Res. 91, providing amounts for the expenses of certain committees of the House
of Representatives in the One Hundred Fifth Congress, without the intervention
of any point of order. The rule provides that the Committee on House Oversight
amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H. Res. 102
printed in the resolution shall be considered as adopted. The rule provides
for one hour of debate divided equally and controlled by the Chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on House Oversight. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Representative
Thomas.
BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on
the fiscal year 1998 Budget Authorization Request: Department of Energy,
Nuclear Energy; Environment, Safety and Health; and Environmental Restoration
and Waste Management (Non-Defense).
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy:
Terry R. Lash, Director, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology;
Peter N. Brush, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Environment, Safety and
Health; and James M. Owendoff, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Environmental Management.
YEAR 2000: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology and the Subcommittee on
Government Management, Information, and Technology of the Committee on
Government Reform and Oversight held a joint hearing on Year 2000:
Implications for the Commercial Sector. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
FAA--FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on review of Coopers and Lybrand Independent Financial Assessment of
the FAA. Testimony was heard from Senator Lautenberg; Representative LoBiondo;
Monte Belger, Acting Deputy Administrator, FAA, Department of Transportation;
and public witnesses.
VETERAN'S LEGISLATION; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
1090, to amend title 38, United States Code, to allow revision of veterans'
benefits decisions based on clear and unmistakable error; and H.R. 1092, to
amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the authority of the Secretary
of Veterans' Affairs to enter into enhanced-use leases for Department of
Veterans' Affairs property, to rename the U.S. Court of Veterans' Appeals and
the National Cemetery System.
The Committee also approved Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 1998
for transmission to the Committee on the Budget.
MEDICARE HOSPITAL AND PHYSICIAN PAYMENT POLICIES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
recommendations regarding Medicare Hospital and Physician Payment Policies.
Testimony was heard from Joseph Newhouse, Chairman, Prospective Payment
Assessment Commission; Gail R. Wilensky, Chair, Physician Payment Review
Commission; and public witnesses.
CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
the Administration's Child Support Enforcement Incentive Payment Proposal.
Testimony was heard from David Gray Ross, Deputy Director, Office of Child
Support Enforcement, Department of Health and Human Services; Carmen
Solomon-Fears, Education and Public Welfare Division, Congressional Research
Service, Library of Congress; Leslie Frye, Chief, Office of Child Support,
Department of Social Services, State of California; and public witnesses.
1997/03/21
Daily Digest - Friday, March 21, 1997; pages D290 - D292
Committee Meetings
FINANCIAL CRIMES ENFORCEMENT NETWORK--REGULATORY EFFORTS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on General Oversight
and Investigations held a hearing on regulatory efforts by the Financial
Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN"). Testimony was heard from Stanley
Morris, Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of the
Treasury.
ETHICS REFORM
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: On March 20, the Task Force on
Ethics Reform met in executive session to continue discussions on Ethics
Reform.
1997/04/07
Daily Digest - Monday, April 7, 1997; pages D293 - D300
Committee Meetings
NATIONAL CAPITAL REVITALIZATION AND SELF-GOVERNMENT IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: On March 25, the Subcommittee on
the District of Columbia held a hearing on the Administration's National
Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Plan. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
1997/04/08
Daily Digest - Tuesday, April 8, 1997; pages D301 - D306
Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on the NOAA. Testimony was heard from D. James Baker,
Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, Department of Commerce.
LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Testimony was heard from Diane B. Frankel, Director, Institute of Museum and
Library Services.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
Members of Congress and public witnesses.
PRODUCT LIABILITY REFORM ACCESS LIFE-SAVING PRODUCTS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on Product Liability Reform and Consumer Access to
Life-Savings Products. Testimony was heard from Representative Gekas; and
public witnesses.
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families held a hearing on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act
Program. Testimony was heard from Representatives Miller of Florida, Moakley
and Sanders; Joel Eisenberg, Senior Policy Analyst, Oak Ridge National
Laboratory; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANOUS MEASURES
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on the Postal
Service approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1057,
D304amended, to designate the building in Indianapolis, IN, which houses the
operations of the Circle City Station Post Office as the "Andrew Jacobs, Jr.
Post Office Building"; and H.R. 1058, to designate the facility of the U.S.
Postal Service under construction at 150 West Margaret Drive in Terre Haute,
IN, as the "John T. Myers Post Office Building".
[Page: D304]
ZAIRE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on
"Zaire: Collapse of an African Giant?". Testimony was heard from George Moose,
Assistant Secretary, Africa, Department of State; Vincent Kern, III, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, African Affairs, Department of Defense; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANOUS MEASURES
Committe on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures, H.R. 1225,
to make a technical correction to title 28, United States Code; relating to
jurisdiction for lawsuits against terrorist states.
H.J. Res 62, amended, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United
States with respect to tax limitations.
The Committee also considered a private immigration bill and a private claims
bill.
OVERSEAS QUALITY-OF-LIFE INFRASTRUCTURE
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities held a hearing on overseas quality-of-life infrastructure.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Brig. Gen. Hans Van Winkle, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, Engineers, U.S. Army
Europe; Rear Adm. John R. Ryan, USN, Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean,
Commander, Maritime Air Forces; Col. Dean Fox, USAF, Civil Engineer,
Headquarters, U.S. Air Force Europe; Col. David Spaulding, USA, Assistant
Chief of Staff, Engineers, VIII U.S. Army Korea; Rear Adm. Albert T. Church,
USN, Deputy Chief of Staff, Shore Base Management, Commander-in-Chief Pacific
Fleet; Brig. Gen. James M. Hayes, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Base
Smedley D. Butler, Deputy Commander, Marine Corps Base Japan; and Col. Frank
Destadio, USAF, Civil Engineer, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force Pacific.
DOD REVIEW--GENERAL AND FLAG OFFICER AUTHORIZATIONS
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a
hearing on the methodology and process which DOD used to complete the general
officer and force officer review mandated by Congress in the 1997 Defense
authorization legislation. Testimony was heard from Mark E. Gebicke, Director,
Military Operations and Capabilities Issues, National Security and
International Affairs Division, GAO; and the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Frederick Pang, Assistant Secretary, Force Management
Policy; and Terrence O'Connell, Chairman, Reserve Forces Policy Board.
ACQUISITION WORKFORCE
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and the
Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a joint hearing on the Acquisition
Workforce. Testimony was heard from Louis Rodrigues, Director, Acquisition
Issues, GAO; and the following officials of the Department of Defense: Noel
Longuemare, Deputy Under Secretary, Acquisition and Technology; John W.
Douglass, Assistant Secretary, Navy, Research, Development and Acquisition;
Darleen Druyan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Air Force, Acquisition
and Management; and Keith Charles, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Army, Plans,
Programs, and Policy.
LIVESTOCK GRAZING POLICIES--NATIONAL FORESTS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on livestock grazing policies on public domain National
Forests. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
SUSPENSIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote a resolution providing that
suspensions will be in order on Wednesday, April 9, 1997 and Thursday, April
10, 1997. The resolution provides that the Speaker or his designee will
consult with the Minority Leader or his designee on any suspension considered
under this resolution.
ETHICS REFORM
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Task Force on Ethics Reform met in
executive session to continue discussions on Ethics Reform.
Will continue tomorrow.
CHILDREN'S HEALTH COVERAGE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
Children's Access to Health Coverage. Testimony was heard from William J.
Scanlon, Director, Health Systems Issues, GAO; Linda T. Bilheimer, Deputy
Assistant Director, Health, Health and Human Resources Division, CBO; Patrick
J. Purcell, Analyst in Social Legislation, Congressional Research Service,
Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
ADOPTION PROMOTION ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
H.R. 867, Adoption Promotion Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Senator
DeWine; Representatives Camp and Kennelly of Connecticut; Olivia A. Golden,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Children and Families, Department of Health and
Human Services; Jess McDonald, Director, Department of Children and Family
Services, State of Illinois; and public witnesses.
1997/04/09
Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 9, 1997; pages D307 - D314
Committee Meetings
FOREST ECOSYSTEM HEALTH CONDITIONS
Committee on Agriculture, and the Committee on Resources: Held a joint hearing
to review forest ecosystem health conditions in the United States. Testimony
was heard from Representative Taylor of North Carolina; and public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on Prisons and Related Issues, and on Maritime
Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Justice: Kathleen M. Hawk, Director, Bureau of Prisons, and Eduardo
Gonzalez, Director, U.S. Marshall Service; and Judge Richard P. Conaboy,
Chairman, U.S. Sentencing Commission; Albert J. Herberger, Administrator,
Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation, and Harold J. Creel,
Jr., Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission.
[Page: D310]
ENERGY AND WATER APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development met
in executive session to hold a hearing on Atomic Energy Defense Activities.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy:
Victor H. Reis, Assistant Secretary, Defense Programs; and Kenneth E. Baker,
Acting Director, Office of Nonproliferation and National Security; and Harold
P. Smith, Jr., Assistant to the Secretary, Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological
Weapons, Department of Defense.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on Coordinators for the New
Independent States. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of State: Dick Morningstar, Coordinator for the New Independent
States; and Jim Holmes, Coordinator, Office of Eastern European Assistance;
and Tom Dine, Assistant Administrator, AID, U.S. International Development
Cooperation Agency.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Department of Energy. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Energy: Patricia F. Godley, Assistant Secretary, Office of
Fossil Energy; and Christine A. Ervin, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Consolidated Management (DOL, HHS, ED), and on
Employment and Training Administration/Veterans Employment. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Labor: Patricia
Watkins Lattimore, Acting Assistant Secretary, Administration and Management;
Edmundo A. Gonzales, Chief Financial Officer; James E. McMullen, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Budget; Raymond J. Uhalde, Acting Assistant Secretary,
Employment and Training; Mary Ann Wyrsch, Chief of Operations, Employment and
Training, and Preston M. Taylor, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Veterans'
Employment and Training.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in
executive session to hold a hearing on Intelligence Budget Overview. Testimony
was heard from George Tenet, Acting Director, CIA.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on American Battle Monuments Commission, on Court of Veterans
Appeals, and on DOD-Civil, Cemeterial Expenses, Army. Testimony was heard from
Gen. Frederick F. Woerner, Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission;
Frank Q. Nebeker, Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals; and H. Martin
Lancaster, Assistant Secretary, Army (Civil Works), Department of Defense.
CHARTER SCHOOLS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families held a hearing on Charter Schools. Testimony was heard from
Gerald Tirozzi, Assistant Secretary, Elementary and Secondary Education,
Department of Education; Phillip Hamilton, Delegate, House of Delegates, State
of Virginia; Scott Hamilton, Associate Commissioner, Charter Schools,
Department of Education, State of Massachusetts; Bill Windler, Senior
Consultant, School Improvement Accountability and Accreditation, Department of
Education, State of Colorado; and public witnesses.
U.N. PEACEKEEPING
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing to review "Does U.N.
Peacekeeping Serve U.S. Interests?" Testimony was heard from Harold J.
Johnson, Associate Director, International Relations and Trade Issues, GAO;
and public witnesses.
DOD AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and the
Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on the
fiscal year 1998 Department of Defense authorization request--Unmanned Aerial
Vehicle Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Lt. Gen. Jay M. Garner, USA, Assistant Vice Chief of
Staff, Army; Vice Adm. Donald L. Pilling, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval
Operations, Resources, Warfare Requirements and Assessments; Lt. Gen. Paul K.
Van Riper, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command;
Lt. Gen. Brett M. Dula, USAF, Vice Commander, Air Combat Command; Maj. Gen.
Kenneth Israel, USAF, Director, Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office; and
Vice Adm. Dennis C. Blair, USN, Director, Joint Staff.
[Page: D311]
INTERNATIONAL DOLPHIN CONSERVATION
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 408, to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act
of 1972 to support the International Dolphin Conservation Program in the
eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Testimony was heard from Mary Beth West,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Oceans, Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science,
Department of State; Elizabeth Edwards, Director, Dolphin Safe Research
Program, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries
Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.
NSF AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Basic Research continued hearings on NSF
Authorization Part III. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the NSF: Neal Lane, Director; Paul Young, Senior Advisor, Computer and
Information Science and Engineering; Richard Zare, Chairman and Shirley
Malcom, member, Executive Committee, both with the National Science Board; and
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment approved for full
Committee action amended H.R. 363, to amend section 2118 of the Energy Policy
Act of 1992 to extend the Electric and Magnetic Field Research and Public
Information Dissemination.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on fiscal year 1998 Budget Authorization
for Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency Research and
Development, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Program.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
NASA AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics continued hearings
on fiscal year 1998 NASA Authorization: International Space Station. Testimony
was heard from Wilbur Trafton, Associate Administrator, Office of Space
Flight, NASA; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
ETHICS REFORM
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Task Force on Ethics Reform met in
executive session to continue discussions on Ethics Reform.
Will continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 1001,
to extend the term of appointment of certain members of the Prospective
Payment Assessment Commission and the Physician Review Commission; and H.R.
1226, amended, Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act.
WELFARE REFORM TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources approved for full
Committee action amended H.R. 1048, Welfare Reform Technical Corrections Act
of 1997.
INTELLIGENCE BUDGET
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on the Budget, Part 1: HUMINT and on Budget Hearing Part 2: Covert
Action. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
1997/04/10
Daily Digest - Thursday, April 10, 1997; pages D315 - D326
Committee Meetings
FEDERAL AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT AND REFORM ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Crops
held a hearing to review the implementation of the risk management provisions
in the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Testimony was
heard from Brooksley Born, Chairperson, Commodity Futures Trading Commission;
Kenneth D. Ackerman, Acting Administrator, Risk Management Agency, USDA; and
public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and
Judiciary held a hearing on the Census and Statistical Programs, Commerce
Department, and on the Immigration and Border Security. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Commerce: Everett M.
Ehrlich, Under Secretary, Economic Affairs, and Martha Farnsworth Riche,
Director, Bureau of Census; the following officials of the Department of
Justice: Doris Meissner, Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service,
and Anthony C. Moscato, Director, Executive Office for Immigration Review; and
Mary A. Ryan, Assistant Secretary, Consular Affairs, Department of State.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
National Park Service and on the Indian Health Service. Testimony was heard
from Denis P. Galvin, Acting Deputy Director, National Park Service,
Department of the Interior; and Michael H. Trujillo, M.D., Assistant Surgeon
General and Director, Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human
Services.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Enforcement Agencies (OSHA, MSHA, ESA); Office
of Inspector General, on the Bureau of Labor Statistics and on the Pension
Agencies (PBGC and PWBA). Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Labor: Gregory R. Watchman, Acting Assistant Secretary,
OSHA; J. Davitt McAteer, Assistant Secretary, Mine Safety and Health
Administration; Bernard E. Anderson, Assistant Secretary, Emergency Standards
Administration; A. Charles C. Masten, Inspector General; Patricia A. Dalton,
Deputy Inspector General; F. M. Broadway, Assistant Inspector General,
Investigation; John J. Getek, Assistant Inspector General, Audit; Sylvia T.
Horowitz, Assistant Inspector General, Management and Counsel; Katharine G.
Abraham, Commissioner, and William G. Barron, Jr., Deputy Commissioner, both
with the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and Kenneth V. Dalton, Associate
Commissioner, Prices and Living Conditions; Daniel J. Lacey, Associate
Commissioner, Administration; Olena Berg, Assistant Secretary, Pension and
Welfare Benefits Administration; and James E. McMullen, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Budget; and John Seal, Acting Executive Director, Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in
executive session to hold a hearing on the National Reconnaissance Program.
Testimony was heard from Keith Hall, Director, National Reconnaissance
Program, Department of Defense.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the NSF. Testimony was heard from Neal Lane, Director, NSF.
COMMON CENTS STOCK PRICING ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing on H.R. 1053, Common Cents Stock Pricing Act of 1997. Testimony was
heard from Steven M.H. Wallman, Commissioner, SEC; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue April 16.
EPA'S PROPOSED OZONE AND PARTICULATE MATTER NAAQS REVISIONS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing on Review of
D320EPA's Proposed Ozone and Particulate Matter NAAQS Revisions. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
Hearings continue April 17.
PROTOCOL FOR DOCUMENTS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Approved a Document Protocol
setting forth the procedures to be followed by the Committee and its
Subcommittees, for obtaining, storing and releasing of documents and other
materials. This Protocol shall apply only to Committee and Subcommittee
investigation of political fund-raising improprieties and possible violations
of law by persons or entities within the Committee's oversight jurisdiction
and to documents and materials obtained during the investigation by Committee
subpoena or letter request. The Protocol shall not apply to any other
oversight conducted by the Committee or any Subcommittee unless specifically
adopted by decision of the Chairman or by vote of the Committee.
U.S. POLICY TOWARD EGYPT
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on U.S. Policy toward
Egypt. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights approved for full Committee action amended H.R. 1253, Foreign
Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999.
OVERSIGHT--PRODUCT LIABILITY REFORM
Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing regarding Product
Liability Reform. Testimony was heard from Representative Campbell; Tom
Miller, Attorney General, State of Iowa; and public witnesses.
MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION SYSTEM
Committee on National Security: Morale, Welfare and Recreation Panel held a
hearing on the morale, welfare and recreation system. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Defense: Frederick F.Y. Pang,
Assistant Secretary (Force Management Policy); Brig. Gen. Evan R. Gaddis, USA,
Commander, U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center; Rear Adm. Larry R.
Marsh, USN, Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel, Personnel Readiness and
Community Support; Arthur Myers, Deputy Director, Services and Director of
Resources Management and Oversight, DCS Installations and Logistics, U.S. Air
Force; and Mike Tharrington, Acting Director, MWR Program, U.S. Marine Corps.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities held a hearing on the long-term planning for military construction
requirements. Testimony was heard from John Hamre, Under Secretary
(Comptroller), Department of Defense.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement held a
hearing on the fiscal year 1998 Department of Energy authorization request and
related matters. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Federico R. PenAE6a, Secretary-Designate; Victor H.
Reis, Assistant Secretary, Defense Programs; Alvin L. Alm, Assistant
Secretary, Environmental Management; and Kenneth E. Baker, Acting Director,
Office of Nonproliferation and National Security; Siegfried S. Hecker,
Director, Los Alamos National Laboratories; C. Paul Robinson, President and
Laboratories Director, Sandia National Laboratories; Bruce C. Tarter,
Director, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; and public witnesses.
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 478, to amend the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 to improve the ability of individuals and local, State,
and Federal agencies to comply with that act in building, operating,
maintaining, or repairing flood control projects, facilities, or structures.
Testimony was heard from Michael L. Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Army
(Civil Works) Policy and Legislation, Department of Defense; John R.
Garamendi, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
INTERNATIONAL DOLPHIN CONSERVATION
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and
Oceans approved for full Committee action H.R. 408, to amend the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972 to support the International Dolphin Conservation
Program in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, and Public Lands
approved for full Committee action amended H.R. 449, to provide for the
orderly disposal of certain Federal lands in Clark County, D321NV, and to
provide for the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands in the State of
Nevada.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the following bills, H.R. 765, to
ensure maintenance of wild horses in Cape Lookout National Seashore; and H.R.
136, to amend the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 to designate the
Majority Stoneman Douglas Wilderness and to amend the Everglades National Park
Protection and Expansion Act of 1989 to designate the Ernest F. Coe Visitor
Center. Testimony was heard from Maureen Finnerty, Associate Director, Park
Operations and Education, National Park Service, Department of the Interior;
and public witnesses.
NASA AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics concluded hearings
on fiscal year 1998 NASA Authorization: Science Programs. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of NASA: Wesley T. Huntress, Jr., Associate
Administrator, Office of Space Science; Arnauld E. Nicogossian, Associate
Administrator, Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications; and
Neal Pellis, Head, Biotechnology Program, Johnson Space Center; Eugene
Shoemaker, Scientist Emeritus, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the
Interior; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY FUNDING NEEDS
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology concluded hearings on funding
needs for the National Institute of Standards and Technology Part 2. Testimony
was heard from Allen Li, Associate Director, Energy, Resources, and Science
Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing to examine the proposed redrafting
of Section 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). Testimony was
heard from Steven Kelman, Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy,
OMB; Jere Glover, Chief Counsel for Advocacy, SBA; and public witnesses.
ETHICS REFORM
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Task Force on Ethics Reform met in
executive session to continue discussions on Ethics Reform.
SUPERFUND REAUTHORIZATION AND REFORM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Superfund Reauthorization and
Reform: Perspectives of Interested Parties. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the EPA: Steven A. Herman, Assistant Administrator,
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance; and Timothy Fields, Jr.,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response;
James C. Coleman, Assistant Commissioner, Waste Site Cleanup, Department of
Environmental Protection, State of Massachusetts; Douglas H. Palmer, Mayor,
Trenton, New Jersey; and public witnesses.
REHABILITATION AND LONG-TERM HOSPITALS PAYMENTS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Hospitals Payments. Testimony was heard from
Representative LoBiondo; Barbara O. Wynn, Acting Director, Bureau of Policy
Development, Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and
Human Services; Joseph P. Newhouse, Chairman, Prospective Payment Assessment
Commission; and public witnesses.
FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued
hearings on the Future of Social Security for this Generation and the Next.
Testimony was heard from Jane L. Ross, Director, Income Security Issues,
Health, Education, and Human Services Division, GAO; David Koitz, Specialist
in Social Legislation, Education and Public Welfare Division, Congressional
Research Service, Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
BUDGET--ANALYSIS AND PRODUCTION
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
Budget hearing--Analysis and Production. Testimony was heard from departmental
witnesses.
1997/04/14
Daily Digest - Monday, April 14, 1997; pages D328 - D332
Committee Meetings
MEDICARE PREVENTIVE BENEFITS AND QUALITY STANDARDS
Committee on Commerce: On April 11, the Subcommittee on Health and Environment
held a hearing on Medicare Preventive Benefits and Quality Standards.
Testimony was heard from Speaker Gingrich; Representative Nethercutt; Bernice
Steinhardt, Director, Health Services Quality and Public Health Issues, GAO;
and public witnesses.
IRS MISMANAGEMENT--IDEAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on IRS Mismanagement
and Ideas for Improvement. Testimony was heard from Lynda D. Willis, Director,
Tax Policy and Administration, General Government Division, GAO; Michael
Dolan, Deputy Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury; Jeffrey Trinca,
Chief of Staff, National Commission on Restructuring the IRS; and public
witnesses.
TAX LIMITATION CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted by voice vote a modified closed rule
providing for consideration of H.J. Res. 62, proposing an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States with respect to tax limitation in the House.
The rule provides that the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute,
modified by the amendment specified in the report of the Committee on Rules,
will be considered as adopted. The previous question shall be considered as
ordered on the joint resolution, as amended, and on any further amendment
thereto to final passage without intervening motion except as specified.
The rule provides for three hours of debate. The rule further provides for an
amendment if offered by the Minority Leader or his designee, which will be
considered as read, and which will be debatable for 1 hour equally divided
between the proponent and an opponent. Finally, the rule provides one motion
to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Representatives McCollum, Canady, Barton of Texas, Shadegg, Scott and Watt of
North Carolina.
SUSPENSIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote a resolution providing that
suspensions will be in order on Wednesday, April 16, l997. The resolution
provides that the Speaker or his designee will consult with the Minority
Leader or his designee on any suspension considered under this resolution.
1997/04/15
Daily Digest - Tuesday, April 15, 1997; pages D333 - D340
Committee Meetings
COMMODITY EXCHANGE ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Crops
held a hearing on reform of the Commodity Exchange Act and provisions of H.R.
467, Commodity Exchange Act Amendments of 1997. Testimony was heard from
Brooksley Born, Chair, Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Roger Anderson,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Federal Finance, Department of the Treasury;
Richard Lindsey, Director, Division of Market Regulation, SEC; Susan M.
Phillips, member, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; and public
witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and the
Judiciary held a hearing on the Office of Justice Programs, the Office of
Community Oriented Policing and on the Office of D338Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Justice: Laurie Robinson, Assistant Attorney General,
Justice Programs; Joseph E. Brann, Director, Community Oriented Policing
Services; and Sheay Bilchek, Administrator, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention.
[Page: D338]
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the
Bureau of Indian Affairs/Office of Special Trustee. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Ada E. Deer,
Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs; and Paul M. Homan, Special Trustee for
American Indians.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior approved for full
Committee action Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1997.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the EPA. Testimony was heard from Carol M. Browner,
Administrator, EPA.
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Began markup of H.R. 2, Housing
Opportunity and Responsibility Act of 1997.
Will continue tomorrow.
TRANSFER OF SUPERCOMPUTERS--IMPACT ON NATIONAL SECURITY
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement held a
hearing on the sale or transfer of supercomputers to foreign entities or
governments engaged in nuclear weapons research and its impact on the national
security interests of the United States. Testimony was heard from Harold
Johnson, Associate Director, International Relations and Trade Issues, GAO;
William A. Reinsch, Under Secretary, Export Administration, Department of
Commerce; the following officials of the Department of Energy: Victor H. Reis,
Assistant Secretary, Defense Programs; and Kenneth E. Baker, Acting Director,
Office of Nonproliferation and National Security; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--IMPLEMENTATION OF WILDERNESS ACT ON BLM AND FOREST SERVICE LANDS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands and
the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a joint oversight hearing
on implementation of the 1964 Wilderness Act on BLM and Forest Service lands.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ACT--FEDERAL AGENCY COMPLIANCE
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Government Programs and Oversight
and Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Paperwork Reduction held a joint
hearing on Federal Agency Compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act: Are
Federal Agencies Using "Good Science" In Their Making? Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
Hearings continue April 17.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX REPLACEMENT--IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Impact on Individuals and
Families of Replacing the Federal Income Tax. Testimony was heard from
Representative Armey; and public witnesses.
INTELLIGENCE BUDGET--PERSONNEL AND LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
Budget hearing on Personnel and Legislative Issues. Testimony was heard from
departmental witnesses.
1997/04/16
Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 16, 1997; pages D342 - D350
Committee Meetings
COMMODITY EXCHANGE ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Crops
continued hearings on reform of the Commodity Exchange Act and provisions of
H.R. 467, Commodity Exchange Act Amendments of 1997. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Federal Drug Administration, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee
action Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1997.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and the
Judiciary held a hearing on the SBA, the Economic Development Administration,
the Minority Business Development Agency, the Arms Control and Disarmament
Agency and the EEOC. Testimony was heard from Aida Alvarez, Administrator,
SBA; and the following officials of the Department of Commerce, Phillip A.
Singerman, Assistant Secretary, Economic Development Administration; and Paul
R. Weber, Assistant Director, Minority Business Development Agency; John D.
Holum, Director, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; and Gilbert F.
Casellas, Chairman, EEOC.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
approved for full Committee action Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year
1997.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior concluded appropriation
hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security approved for
full Committee action Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1997.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Ballistic Missile Defense. Testimony
was heard from Gen. Lester Lyles, USA, Director, Ballistic Missile Defense
Organization, Department of Defense.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
approved for full Committee action Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year
1997.
The Subcommittee also concluded hearings on the EPA. Testimony was heard from
Carol M. Browner, Administrator, EPA.
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued markup of H.R. 2,
Housing Opportunity and Responsibility Act of 1997.
Will continue tomorrow.
LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND AMENDMENTS ACT
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported H.R. 688, Leaking Underground Storage
Tank Trust Fund Amendments of 1997.
COMMON CENTS STOCK PRICING ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials
concluded hearings on H.R. 1053, the Common Cents Stock Pricing Act of
D3471997. Testimony was heard from William Johnston, President, New York Stock
Exchange; Tom Ryan, President, American Stock Exchange; Robert M. Greber,
Chairman and CEO, Pacific Exchange; and public witnesses.
[Page: D347]
OSHA'S METHYLENE CHLORIDE RULE
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing on OSHA's Methylene Chloride rule. Testimony was
heard from Emily Sheketoff, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Occupational Safety
and Health, Department of Labor; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--NURSING HOMES HEALTH CARE
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
and Intergovernmental Relations held an oversight hearing on Health Care in
Nursing Homes. Testimony was heard from George Grob, Deputy Inspector General,
Evaluations and Inspections, Department of Health and Human Services; Leslie
Aronovitz, Associate Director, Health Financing and Systems Issues, GAO;
Steven Wiggs, Assistant Attorney General, State of Arizona; Stephen M. Spahr,
Deputy Attorney General, Director, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, State of New
York; and public witnesses.
PARTICULAR MATTER AND OZONE--EPA'S PROPOSED STANDARDS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Economic Growth, Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing on
"EPA's Proposed Standards for Particulate Matter and Ozone: Is EPA Above the
Law?" Testimony was heard from George Voinovich, Governor, Ohio; Jeffrey
Schoenberg, Representative, State of Illinois; Richard Brodski, Assemblyman,
State of New York; Richard Russman, Senator, State of New Hampshire; Susan
Golding, Mayor, San Diego, California; Frances Monk, Mayor, Port Neches,
Texas; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue April 23.
POSTAL REFORM ACT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Postal Service
held a hearing on H.R. 22, Postal Reform Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
DORNAN V. SANCHEZ
Committee on House Oversight: Began consideration of motions on subpoenas
issued in connection with the Contested Election in the Forty-sixth District
of California.
ZAIRE
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered and adopted a
motion urging the Chairman to request that H. Res. 115, amended, concerning
the promotion of peace, stability, and democracy in Zaire, be considered on
the Suspension Calendar.
BURMESE REFUGEES IN THAILAND
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights held a hearing on Burmese Refugees in Thailand. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--BANKRUPTCY SYSTEM
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held an oversight hearing on the operation of the bankruptcy system and a
status report from the National Bankruptcy Review Commission. Testimony was
heard from Brady C. Williamson, Chairman, National Bankruptcy Review
Commission; George Paine, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Middle District,
Tennessee, Administrative Office of the United States Courts; and public
witnesses.
QUADRENNIAL DEFENSE REVIEW AND NATIONAL DEFENSE PANEL
Committee on National Security: Held a hearing on Quadrennial Defense Review
and National Defense Panel. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the National Defense Panel, Philip A. Odeen, Chairman; Adm. David Jeremiah,
USN (Rtd.) and Andrew Krepinevich, both members of the Panel.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Con. Res.
8, amended, expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the significance
of maintaining the health and stability of coral reef ecosystems; H.R. 39,
African Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1997; H.R. 408, amended,
International Dolphin Conservation Program Act; H.R. 449, amended, Southern
Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1997; and H.R. 478, amended, Flood
Prevention and Family Protection Act of 1997.
21ST CENTURY PATENT SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 400, 21st Century Patent System Improvement Act. The rule
waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule makes
in order the Committee on the Judiciary amendment in the nature of a
substitute now printed in the bill and modified by section 2 D348of the rule.
The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a
substitute, as modified, and provides that it shall be considered as read.
[Page: D348]
The rule provides for priority in recognition for those amendments that are
pre-printed in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration on the
floor. The rule also allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to
postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and allows the Chairman of
the Committee of the Whole to reduce votes to five minutes on a postponed
question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides
one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Hyde, Representatives Coble, Rohrabacher, Conyers and Frank of
Massachusetts.
SUSPENSIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote a resolution providing for the
consideration of motions to suspend the rules on Wednesday, April 23, 1997 and
Thursday April 24, 1997. Any matter to be considered under suspension will be
announced from the House floor at least one hour prior to consideration. The
rule provides that the Speaker or his designee will consult with the Majority
Leader or his designee on any suspension considered under this resolution.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 363, to amend
section 2118 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to extend the Electric and
Magnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination Program; H.R.
437, amended, Marine Resources Revitalization Act; H.R. 1271, amended, FAA
Research, Engineering, and Development Authorization Act of 1997; H.R. 1272,
amended, Fire Administration Authorization Act of 1997; H.R. 1273, amended,
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1997; H.R. 1274, amended,
National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 1997; H.R.
1275, amended, Civilian Space Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999;
H.R. 1276, amended, Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration
Authorization Act of 1997; H.R. 1277, Department of Energy Civilian Research
and Development Act of 1997; and H.R. 1278, amended, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1997.
PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS--HEALTH PROBLEMS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing on health problems of
Persian Gulf War Veterans and possible exposure to chemical warfare agents.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Bernard Rostker, Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary, Gulf War Illness;
Col. Thomas P. Leavitt, USA, Chief, Inspections Division, Inspector General,
Department of the Army; and Col. Joe Huber, USA, Office of the Deputy Chief of
Staff, Army, Operations; Robert D. Walpole, Chief, Persian Gulf Task Force,
CIA; and public witnesses.
ADOPTION PROMOTION ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources approved for full
Committee action H.R. 867, amended, Adoption Promotion Act of 1997.
ELECTRONIC FEDERAL TAX PAYMENT SYSTEM
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on the
Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Hastings of Washington and Linda Smith of Washington; the
following officials of the Department of the Treasury: James E. Donelson,
Chief, Taxpayer Service, IRS; and Russell D. Morris, Commissioner, Financial
Management Service; and public witnesses.
1997/04/17
Daily Digest - Thursday, April 17, 1997; pages D352 - D362
Committee Meetings
CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM
Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported amended H.R. 1342, to provide for a
1-year enrollment in the conservation reserve of land covered by expiring
conservation reserve program contracts.
NAFTA--REVIEW STATUS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities held a
hearing on the status of NAFTA with Canada and Mexico. Testimony was heard
from August Schumacher, Jr., Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service,
USDA; and public witnesses.
COMMODITY EXCHANGE ACT
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Crops
concluded hearings on reform of the Commodity Exchange Act and provisions of
H.R. 467, Commodity Exchange Act Amendments of 1997. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and the
Judiciary continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on Export Finance Agencies.
Testimony was heard from Rita M. Rodriquez, Acting D357President and Chairman,
Export-Import Bank; Mildred O. Callear, Acting President and CEO, Overseas
Private Investment Corporation, U.S. International Development Cooperation
Agency; and J. Joseph Grandmaison, Director, Trade and Development Agency.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services
continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security continued
appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress and
public witnesses.
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1997
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued markup of H.R. 2,
Housing Opportunity and Responsibility Act of 1997.
Will continue April 23.
PROPOSED OZONE AND PARTICULATE MATTER NAAQS REVISIONS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations continued joint hearings on
Review of EPA's Proposed Ozone and Particulate Matter NAAQS Revisions.
Testimony was heard from Mary Nichols, Assistant Administrator, Air and
Radiation, EPA; and Sally Katzen, Administrator, Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, OMB.
Hearings continue April 24.
FOOD SAFETY IN THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families held a hearing on food safety in the School Lunch Program.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Mary Ann Keefe,
Acting Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services; and Ken
Clayton, Director, Agricultural Marketing Service; the following officials of
the Department of Health and Human Services: Fred Shank, Director, Center for
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA; and Harold Margolis, M.D., Chief,
Hepatitis Branch, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Center for Disease
Control, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
U.N. PEACEKEEPING
Committee on International Relations: Continued hearings on "Does U.N.
Peacekeeping Serve U.S. Interests?" (Part II). Testimony was heard from
Princeton Lyman, Assistant Secretary, International Organizational Affairs,
Department of State; and Edward L. Warner, Assistant Secretary, Strategy,
Department of Defense.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 874, to provide that Oregon may
not tax compensation paid to a resident of Washington for services as a
Federal employee at a Federal hydroelectric facility located on the Columbia
River; and H.R. 865, to provide that Kentucky may not tax compensation paid to
a resident of Tennessee for services as a Federal employee at Fort Campbell,
KY. Testimony was heard from Senator Thompson; Representatives Bryant, Linda
Smith of Washington and Hastings of Washington; and public witnesses.
FAIR HOUSING REFORM AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.R. 589, Fair Housing Reform and Freedom of Speech Act of 1997. Testimony was
heard from Representative Bilbray; Paul Hancock, Deputy Assistant Attorney
General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; Susan Golding, Mayor,
San Diego, California; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--FOREST SERVICE BUDGET
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Forest Service Budget. Testimony was heard from James
Lyons, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, USDA.
OVERSIGHT--CALFED BAY-DELTA PROGRAM
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing on the CALFED Bay-Delta Program and the fiscal year 1998 federal
funding request for the program. Testimony was heard from John R. Garamendi,
Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior; Robert Perciasepe, Assistant
Administrator, Water, EPA; Douglas P. Wheeler, Secretary for Resources, State
of California; Lester Snow, Executive Director, CALFED Bay-Delta Program; and
public witnesses.D358
CIVILITY--HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Committee on Rules: Subcommittee on Rules and Organization of the House held a
hearing on Civility in the House of Representatives. Testimony was heard from
Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Dean, Annenberg School for Communication, University
of Pennsylvania and Donald Wolfensberger, Guest Scholar, Woodrow Wilson
International Center for Scholars.
FEDERAL AGENCY COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ACT
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Government Programs and Oversight
and Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Paperwork Reduction concluded joint
hearings on Federal Agency Compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act: Are
Federal Agencies Using "Good Science" In Their Making? Testimony was heard
from Jere Glover, Chief Counsel for Advocacy, SBA; Thomas Kelly, Chair, Small
Business Advocacy, EPA; Robert Burt, Office of Regulatory Analysis, Department
of Labor; and public witnesses.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT WITHIN VA
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing on sexual harassment issues involving senior career managers
within the VA. Testimony was heard from Ronnie Blumenthal, Director, Office of
Federal Operations, EEOC; the following officials of the Veterans
Administration: Hershel Gober, Deputy Secretary; Eugene A. Brickhouse,
Assistant Secretary, Human Resources and Management; Gerald K. Hinch, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Equal Opportunity; Mary Lou Keener, General Counsel; Jule
D. Moravec, Chief Network Officer, Veterans Health Administration; Leroy P.
Gross, M.D., Director, Veterans Integrated Service Network T2# 6, Veterans
Health Administration; and William T. Merriman, Deputy Inspector General;
certain current or former women employees of the Veterans Affairs Medical
Center, Fayetteville, NC; and public witnesses.
MEDICARE'S COVERAGE POLICY
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Issues
Relating to Medicare's Coverage Policy. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Bruce C. Vladeck,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration; John M. Eisenberg, M.D.,
Administrator, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; and Claude Lenfant,
M.D., Director, National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, NIH; and public
witnesses.
1997/04/21
Daily Digest - Monday, April 21, 1997; pages D364 - D366
Committee Meetings
OVERSIGHT--DEBT COLLECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: On April 18, the Subcommittee on
Government Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on
"Oversight of the Debt Collection Improvement Act". Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Lawrence Summers,
Deputy Secretary; Jerry Hawke, Under Secretary; and Gerald Murphy, Assistant
Fiscal Secretary; John Koskinen, Deputy Director, OMB; Ted David, Chief
Financial Officer, USDA; Steven McNamara, Assistant Inspector General, Audit,
Department of Education; D. Mark Catlett, Chief, Financial Officer, Department
of Veterans Affairs; and Anne Donovan, Office of Child Support Enforcement,
Department of Health and Human Services.
1997/04/22
Daily Digest - Tuesday, April 22, 1997; pages D367 - D370
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
1997/04/23
Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 23, 1997; pages D372 - D380
Committee Meetings
AIR QUALITY ISSUES RELATING TO AGRICULTURE
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and
Research held a hearing on air quality issues relating to the agricultural
industry. Testimony was heard from Paul Johnson, Chief, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from
Jesse Brown, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[Page: D376]
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered Reported Amended H.R. 2,
Housing Opportunity and Responsibility Act of 1997.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG USER FEE ACT REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and FDA Reform.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the FDA, Department of
Health and Human Services: Michael A. Friedman, M.D., Lead Deputy
Commissioner; William Schultz, Deputy Commissioner, Policy; and Robert Byrd,
Deputy Commissioner, Management and Systems; and public witnesses.
COLLEGE EDUCATION--RISING COST
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning held a hearing on the Rising Price
of a College Education. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
CENSUS 2000
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Census 2000: How
Should the Federal Government Measure Race and Ethnicity". Testimony was heard
from Representatives Meek of Florida, Petri and Sawyer; Sally Katzen,
Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; Martha
Farnsworth Riche, Director, Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce;
Norma Cantu, Assistant Secretary, Civil Rights, Department of Education;
Edward Sondik, Director, National Center for Health Statistics, Department of
Health and Human Services; and Bernard Ungar, Associate Director, Federal
Management and Workforce Issues, GAO.
PARTICULAR MATTER AND OZONE--EPA'S PROPOSED STANDARDS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Economic Growth, National Resources, and Regulatory Affairs concluded hearings
on "EPA's Particulate Matter and Ozone Rulemaking: Is EPA Above the Law".
Testimony was heard from Carol Browner, Administrator, EPA; Sally Katzen,
Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; and Jere
Glover, Chief Counsel for Advocacy, SBA.
CAMBODIA--TERRORIST GRENADE ATTACK; SINO-AMERICAN RELATIONS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
approved for full Committee action H. Res. 121, expressing the sense of the
House of Representatives regarding the March 30, 1997, terrorist grenade
attack in Cambodia.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Sino-American Relations and U.S.
Policy Options. Testimony was heard from Jeffrey Bader, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State; Winston Lord,
former Assistant Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of
State; and public witnesses.
VOLUNTARY LIABILITY MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 911,
Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 and H.R. 1167, Volunteer Protection Act of
1997. Testimony was heard from Senators Coverdell, McConnell Ashcroft and
Santorum; Speaker Gingrich and Representative Porter; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--BORDER SECURITY AND DETERRING ILLEGAL ENTRY
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held an
oversight hearing on regarding border security and deterring illegal entry
into the United States. Testimony was heard from Representative Reyes; the
following officials of the Department of Justice: Alan Bersin, U.S. Attorney,
Southern District of California; and George Regan, Acting Assistant
Commissioner for Enforcement, Immigration and Naturalization Service; Samuel
H. Banks, Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Custom Service, Department of the
Treasury; Jonathan M. Winer, Deputy Assistant Secretary, International
Narcotics Matters and Law Enforcement Affairs, Department of State; Richard
Gallo, Senior Special Agent, USDA; and public witnesses.
FAA RESEARCH, ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 1271, FAA Research, Engineering, and Development Authorization
Act of 1997. The rule waives section 306 (prohibiting consideration of
legislation within the Budget Committee's jurisdiction unless the Budget
Committee reports it) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 against
consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order the Committee on Science
amendment in the nature of a substitute as an original bill for amendment
purposes, with each section considered as read. Section 306 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is waived against the committee amendment in
the nature of a substitute. The rule D377authorizes the Chair to accord
priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed the amendments in the
Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with
or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Sensenbrenner,
Representatives Morella and Brown of California.
[Page: D377]
NSF AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted by voice vote an open rule providing
1 hour of debate on H.R. 1273, National Science Foundation Authorization Act
of 1997. The rule makes in order the Committee on Science amendment in the
nature of a substitute as an original bill for amendment purposes, with each
title considered as read. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in
the recognition to members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with
or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Sensenbrenner,
Representatives Morella and Brown of California.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted by voice vote an open rule providing
1 hour of debate on H.R. 1274, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Authorization Act of 1997. The rule waives points of order against
consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 2(1)(6) of rule XI
(3 day availability of committee reports). The rule makes in order the
Committee on Science amendment in the nature of a substitute as an original
bill for amendment purposes, with each section considered as read. The rule
authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have
pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was
heard from Chairman Sensenbrenner, Representatives Morella and Brown of
California.
CIVILIAN SPACE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 1275, Civilian Space Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1998 and
1999. The rule waives points of order against consideration of the bill for
failure to comply with clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI (3 day availability of
committee reports). The rule makes in order the Committee on Science amendment
in the nature of a substitute as an original bill for amendment purposes. The
rule further provides that the committee amendment in the nature of a
substitute be considered by title, with each title being considered as read.
The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who
have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Chairman Sensenbrenner, Representatives Morella and Brown of
California.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology concluded hearings on Surface
Transportation Research and Development, Research Needs for the Next Century.
Part II. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
SMALL BUSINESS FAMILIES TAX BURDEN
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Tax Burden on Small Business
Families. Testimony was heard from Senator Bond; and public witnesses.
CLEAN WATER AND DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Meeting Clean Water and Drinking
Water Infrastructure Needs. Testimony was heard from Robert Perciasepe,
Assistant Administrator, EPA; Robert McManus, Mayor, Lynn, Massachusetts;
Bruce Tobey, Mayor, Gloucester, Massachusetts; and public witnesses.
ADOPTION PROMOTION ACT; WELFARE REFORM TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported amended the following bills:
H.R. 867, Adoption Promotion Act of 1997, and H.R. 1048, Welfare Reform
Technical Corrections Act of 1997.
LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on the
low-income housing tax credit. Testimony was heard from James K. White,
Associate Director, Tax Policy and Administration, GAO; Thomas Smith,
Assistant Commissioner, Examination, IRS, Department of the Treasury; and a
public witness.
Hearings continue May l.
DEA BRIEFING REGARDING MEXICO
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on DEA regarding Mexico. The Committee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.
1997/04/24
Daily Digest - Thursday, April 24, 1997; pages D381 - D388
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURAL EXPORT PROGRAMS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and the
Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Crops held a joint hearing on
the effectiveness of Agricultural Export Programs. Testimony was heard from
Chris Goldthwait, General Sales Manager, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA;
and public witnesses.
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported an Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1997.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND THE JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the
Judiciary continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Members
of Congress.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was
heard from Members of Congress and public witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on Reauthorization of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Commerce: Shirl G. Kinney, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, National Telecommunications and Information
Administration; and Larry Irving, Assistant Secretary, Communications and
Information; and public witnesses.
EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND LITERACY ENHANCEMENT ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning approved for full Committee action
amended H.R. 1385, Employment, Training and Literacy Enhancement Act of 1997.
FEDERAL HIRING FROM WELFARE ROLLS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Civil Service
held a hearing on Federal Hiring from the Welfare Rolls. Testimony was heard
from Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas; John A. Koskinen, Deputy
Director, Management, OMB; James B. King, Director, OPM; Diane Disney, Deputy
Assistant Secretary (Civilian Personnel), Department of Defense; Eugene A.
Brickhouse, Assistant Secretary, Administration, Department of Veterans
Affairs; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--STATUS OF EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY GULF WAR SYNDROME
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
and Intergovernmental Relations continued oversight hearings on Status of
Efforts to Identify Gulf War Syndrome, Part II. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Bernard Rostker, Special
Assistant, Gulf War Illnesses; and Donald Mancuso, Deputy Inspector General;
Robert Walpole, Special Assistant, Gulf War Illnesses, CIA; and public
witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Postal Service
held an oversight hearing of the U.S. Postal Service. Testimony was heard
D386from Michael E. Motley, Acting Director, Government Business Operations
Issues, GAO; and Marvin T. Runyon, Postmaster General and CEO, U.S. Postal
Service.
[Page: D386]
COMMITTEE FUNDING; MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE; COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on House Oversight: Ordered reported amended the following measures:
H. Res. 129, providing amounts for the expenses of certain committees of the
House of Representatives in the One Hundred Fifth Congress; and H. Con. Res.
25, providing for acceptance of a statute of Jack Swigert, presented by the
State of Colorado, for placement in National Statuary Hall.
The Committee also considered pending Committee business.
ANGOLA'S GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on
Angola's Government of National Unity. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of State: George Moose, Assistant Secretary; and
Paul Hare, U.S. Special Representative to Angola.
The Subcommittee also received a briefing on this subject from public
witnesses.
JUVENILE CRIME CONTROL ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Began mark up of H.R. 3, Juvenile Crime Control
Act of 1997.
Will continue April 29.
FUTURE OF HYDROGRAPHY
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held an oversight hearing on the future of hydrography. Testimony was
heard from Diana Josephson, Deputy Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere,
Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.
QUINCY LIBRARY GROUP FOREST RECOVERY AND ECONOMIC STABILITY ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forests Health approved
for full Committee action amended H.R. 858, Quincy Library Group Forest
Recovery and Economic Stability Act of 1997.
BUDGET REQUEST--NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Basic Research held a hearing on fiscal
year 1998 budget request for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Program. Testimony was heard from Richard W. Krimm, Executive Associate
Director, Mitigation Directorate, FEMA; P. Patrick Leahy, Chief Geologist,
U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; Elbert L. Marsh, Acting
Assistant Director, Engineering, NSF; Robert Hebner, Acting Director, National
Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce; and public
witnesses.
PATENT TERM AND PATENT APPLICATION DISCLOSURE
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Government Programs and Oversight
held a hearing on the Importance of Patent Term and Patent Application
Disclosure Issues to Small Businesses: What Impact Will Proposed Changes in
the Patent Laws Have on Small Businesses? Testimony was heard from
Representatives Rohrabacher and Kucinich; and public witnesses.
GSA FEDERAL BUILDINGS FUND SHORTFALL
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development held a hearing on the Shortfall in the GSA
Federal Buildings Fund. Testimony was heard from Robert A. Peck, Commissioner,
Public Buildings Service, GSA; and Michael Motley, Associate Director,
Government Business Operations Issues, GAO.
MEDICARE PROVIDER-SPONSORED ORGANIZATIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare
Provider-Sponsored Organizations. Testimony was heard from Kathleen A. Buto,
Associate Administrator, Policy, Health Care Financing Administration,
Department of Health and Human Services; Gail R. Wilensky, Chair, Physician
Payment Review Commission; and public witnesses.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ISSUES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
Unemployment Insurance Issues. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Thomas, English of Pennsylvania, Upton, Farr and Shadegg; David Poythress,
Commissioner, Department of Labor, State of Georgia; Thomas P. Nagle, Under
Secretary, Health and Welfare, State of California; and public witnesses.
DISABILITY APPEALS PROCESS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held an oversight
hearing on the Disability Appeals Process. Testimony was heard from Carolyn
Colvin, Deputy Commissioner, Programs D387and Policy, SSA; Jane L. Ross,
Director, Income Security Issues, Health, Education, and Human Services
Division, GAO; and public witnesses.
[Page: D387]
1997/04/25
Daily Digest - Friday, April 25, 1997; pages D389 - D394
Committee Meetings
NATIONAL CAPITAL REVITALIZATION AND SELF-GOVERNMENT IMPROVEMENT PLAN--MEDICAID
AND TREASURY BORROWING SECTIONS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on the District of
Columbia, held a hearing on Medicaid and Treasury Borrowing Sections of the
Administration's National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government
Improvement Plan. Testimony was heard from Edward DeSeve, Comptroller, OMB;
Deborah Chang, Director, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Health
Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human Services;
Mozelle W. Thompson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of the
Treasury; the following officials of the Financial Responsibility and
Management Assistance Authority: Mark Goldstein, Deputy Director and Dexter
Lockamy, Chief Financial Officer; and the following officials of the District
of Columbia: Michael Rogers, City Administrator, Charlene Drew Jarvis,
Chairwoman Pro Tempore, Linda Cropp, Chairwoman, Committee on Human Services
and Frank Smith, Chairman, Finance and Revenue Committee, all members of the
City Council; Michael Rogers, City Administrator; Jalal Greene, Deputy
CFO/Budget and Planning; Paul Offner, Commissioner, Commission on Health Care
Finance; and Thomas Huestis, Deputy CFO/Finance.
1997/04/28
Daily Digest - Monday, April 28, 1997; pages D395 - D398
Committee Meetings
AIRBAGS, CAR SEATS, AND CHILD SAFETY
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on Air Bags, Car Seats, and Child Safety. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, Department of Transportation: Ricardo Martinez, Administrator;
Phil Recht, Deputy Administrator; James Hedlund, Associate Administrator,
Traffic Safety Programs; Ralph Hitchcock, Acting Associate Administrator,
Research and Development; and Robert Shelton, Associate Administrator, Safety
Performance Standards; and public witnesses.
1997/04/29
Daily Digest - Tuesday, April 29, 1997; pages D399 - D406
Committee Meetings
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on the Reauthorization of the
Export-Import Bank. Testimony was heard from Rita Rodriquez, Acting Chairman
and President, Export-Import Bank; Meg Lundsager, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Trade and Investment Policy, Department of the Treasury; Benjamin F. Nelson,
Director, International Relations and Trade Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on H.R.
1270, Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Senators
Bryan, Reid and Grams; Representatives Ensign, Gibbons and Gutknecht; Lake
Barrett, Acting Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management,
Department of Energy; the following officials of the NRC; Shirley Ann Jackson,
Chairman; and Ed McGaffigan, Commissioner; Jared L. Cohon, Chairman, Nuclear
Waste Technical Review Board; Warren D. Arthur, IV, Commissioner, Public
Service Commission, State of South Carolina; Don L. Keskey, Assistant Attorney
General in Charge, Public Service Division, State of Michigan; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D403]
ADMINISTRATION'S NATIONAL TESTING PROPOSAL
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families held a hearing on the Administration's National Testing
Proposal. Testimony was heard from Richard W. Riley, Secretary of Education.
DC RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Civil Service
held a hearing on DC Retirement System: Coping with Unfunded Liabilities.
Testimony was heard from G. Edward DeSeve, Comptroller, OMB; James L. Blum,
Deputy Director, CBO; the following officials of the District of Columbia:
Anthony Williams, Chief Financial Officer; and Betty Ann Kane, Retirement
Board; and public witnesses.
PROMOTION OUTREACH EFFORTS FOR CENSUS 2000
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held a hearing on
"Promotion Outreach Efforts for Census 2000". Testimony was heard from Michael
Morgan, Commissioner, Department of City Development, Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
and Leon Meyer, Director, City Planning, Cincinnati, Ohio.
JUVENILE CRIME CONTROL ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported amended H.R. 3, Juvenile Crime
Control Act of 1997.
OVERSIGHT--FOREST HEALTH, ECOLOGY, AND MANAGEMENT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Forest Health, Ecology, and Management. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held
an oversight hearing on the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Testimony was heard from Senators Bennett and Hatch; Kathleen McGinty, Chair,
Council on Environmental Quality; Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of the Interior;
Michael O. Leavitt, Governor, State of Utah; and public witnesses.
THE ADOPTION PROMOTION ACT OF 1997
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule on H.R. 867, to
promote the adoption of children in foster care, providing one hour of general
debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives points of order
against consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 2(1)(6) of
rule XI (3 day availability of committee reports), and sections 303(a) and
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (prohibiting consideration of
budgetary legislation prior to the adoption of the budget resolution and
requiring a CBO cost estimate in the committee report on legislation
containing new budget authority, new spending authority, new credit authority,
or a change in revenues, respectively). The rule makes in order the Committee
on Ways and Means amendment in the nature of a substitute as an original bill
for amendment purposes, modified as specified in the report of the Committee
on Rules accompanying the resolution. The rule provides that each section of
the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, as modified, shall be
considered as read. Points of order are waived against the committee amendment
in the nature of a substitute for failure to comply with clause 7 of rule XVI
(germaneness) and sections 303(a) and 306 (prohibits consideration of
legislation with Budget Committee's jurisdiction unless reported by the Budget
Committee) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. The rule authorizes the
Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have preprinted their
amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion
to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Archer, Representatives Shaw, Camp, Tiahrt, and Maloney of New York.
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1997
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule on H.R. 2, to repeal
the United States Housing Act of 1937, deregulate the public housing program
and the program for rental housing assistance for low-income families, and
increase community control over such programs, providing one hour of general
debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services. The rule waives
points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to comply with
clause 2(1)(6) of rule XI (3 day availability of committee reports) or clause
7(b) of rule XIII (relating to cost estimate availability in the report). The
rule makes in order the Banking and Financial Services Committee amendment in
the nature of a substitute as an original bill for amendment purposes and
provides that the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute be
considered by title. The rule waives points of order against the Committee
amendment in the nature of D404a substitute for failure to comply with clause
5(a) of rule XXI (relating to appropriations in a legislative bill). Before
the consideration of any other amendment, the rule provides that it shall be
in order to consider the amendment printed in the Congressional Record of
April 29, 1997, if offered by Representative Lazio of New York or his
designee. The rule provides that the amendment shall be considered as read,
shall be debatable for 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the
proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, shall not be
subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the
Committee of the Whole and all points of order against the amendment are
waived. The rule provides that if the amendment is adopted, the bill, as
amended, shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of further
amendment. The rule provides that Members who have pre-printed their
amendments in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration will be
given priority recognition to offer their amendments if otherwise consistent
with House rules, and provides that pre-printed amendments will be considered
as read. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to
postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce to five minutes
on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally,
the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.
Testimony was heard from Chairman Leach, Representatives Lazio, Gonzalez, and
Kennedy of Massachusetts.
[Page: D404]
WETLANDS--RECENT REGULATORY AND JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Wetlands--recent regulatory and
judicial developments. Testimony was heard from Michael L. Davis, Deputy
Assistant Secretary (Civil Works), Department of the Army; Robert H. Wayland,
III, Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, EPA; and public
witnesses.
COORDINATED CARE OPTIONS FOR SENIORS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
Coordinated Care Options for Seniors. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
EXPANDING U.S. TRADE WITH SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on Expanding
U.S. Trade with Sub-Saharan Africa. Testimony was heard from Speaker Gingrich;
Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative; Lawrence H. Summers, Deputy
Secretary, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
1997/04/30
Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 30, 1997; pages D407 - D414
Committee Meetings
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia held a
hearing on the Administration's Proposal. Testimony was heard from John W.
Hill, Jr., Executive Director, Financial Responsibility and Management
Assistance Authority; G. Edward DeSeve, Controller, Office of Federal
Financial Management, OMB; and public witnesses.
VA-HUD-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress
and public witnesses.
RIEGLE-NEAL CLARIFICATION ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial
Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing on H.R. 1306, Riegle-Neal
Clarification Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Thomas R. Carper,
Governor, State of Delaware; Margarita Prentice, Senator, State of Washington;
and public witnesses.
MEDICAL DEVICES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Medical Devices: Technological Innovation and Patient/Provider
Perspectives. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the FDA,
Department of Health and Human Services: Michael A. Friedman, M.D., Lead
Deputy Commissioner; D. Bruce Burlington, M.D., Director and Susan Alpert,
M.D., Director, Office of Device Evaluation, both with the Center for Devices
and Radiological Health; and public witnesses.
PRODUCT LIABILITY
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on Product Liability Reform and How the Legal Fee
Structure Affects Consumer Compensation. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND LITERACY ENHANCEMENT ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported amended H.R. 1385,
Employment, Training and Literacy Enhancement Act of 1997.
[Page: D411]
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Civil Service
held a hearing on "Federal Employees Group Life Insurance: Could We Do
Better?" Testimony was heard from William E. Flynn III, Associate Director,
Retirement and Insurance, OPM; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held an oversight hearing on the post
FTS-2000 Telecommunications Contract. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the GSA: David J. Barram, Administrator; and Robert Woods,
Commissioner, Federal Telecommunications Service.
OVERSIGHT--BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
and Intergovernmental Relations held a hearing on "Bureau of Labor Statistics
Oversight: Fixing the Consumer Price Index". Testimony was heard from
Katherine G. Abraham, Commissioner, Labor Statistics, Department of Labor; and
public witnesses.
FOREIGN POLICY REFORM ACT
Committee on International Relations: Began markup of the Foreign Policy
Reform Act.
Will continue tomorrow.
BANKRUPTCY AMENDMENTS; BANKRUPTCY LAW TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 764, Bankruptcy Amendments of
1997, and H.R. 120, Bankruptcy Law Technical Corrections Act of 1997.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Ehlers and Knollenberg; Albert B.
Sullivan, Director, Office of Asset Management and Disposition, Department of
Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses.
FLAG DESECRATION AMENDMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.J. Res. 54, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States
authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the
United States. Testimony was heard from Representatives Solomon, Skaggs,
Lipinski, Shimkus, Ackerman and Frost; Alan Lance, Attorney General, State of
Idaho; Robert Zukowski, Representative, State of Wisconsin; and public
witnesses.
SECURITY AND FREEDOM THROUGH ENCRYPTION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
approved for full Committee action H.R. 695, Security and Freedom Through
Encryption (SAFE) Act.
OVERSIGHT--SAFEGUARDING NATURALIZATION PROCESS INTEGRITY
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held an
oversight hearing on Safeguarding the Integrity of the Naturalization Process.
Testimony was heard from Representative Ros-Lehtinen; the following officials
of the Department of Justice: Stephen Colgate, Assistant Attorney General,
Administration; Dennis Kurre, Deputy Assistant Director, Criminal Justice
Information Services Division, FBI; and Doris Meissner, Commissioner,
Immigration and Naturalization Service; Norman Rabkin, Director,
Administration of Justice Issues, General Government Division, GAO; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported H.R. 1420, National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997.
The Committee also held a hearing on H.J. Res. 59, to disapprove a rule
affecting polar bear trophies from Canada under the 1994 amendments to the
Marine Mammal Protection Act issued by the U.S. and Wildlife Service of the
Department of the Interior. Testimony was heard from Representative Peterson
of Minnesota; Marshall Jones, Assistant Director, International Affairs, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; John E. Reynolds, III,
Chairman, Marine Mammal Commission; and public witnesses.
COMMITTEE FUNDING
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote a closed rule providing for
consideration in the House without the intervention of any point of order H.
Res. 129, providing amounts for the expenses of certain committees of the
House of Representatives in the 105th Congress. The rule provides that the
committee amendment in the nature of a substitute will be considered as
adopted. The rule provides 1 hour of debate. Finally, the rule provides one
motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Chairman Thomas.
[Page: D412]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development approved for full Committee action the
following: H. Con. Res. 49, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby; H. Con. Res. 67, authorizing the 1997
Special Olympics Torch Relay to be run through the Capitol Grounds; H. Con.
Res. 66, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 16th annual
National Peace Officers' Memorial Service; and two Committee amendments to GSA
resolutions.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 408,
International Dolphin Conservation Program Act; and H.R. 1463, amended, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1998 and 1999 for the Customs
Service, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, and the
International Trade Commission.
1997/05/01
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 1, 1997, pages D416 - D426
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the SSA and on the Corporation for National
and Community Service. Testimony was heard from John J. Callahan, Acting
Commissioner, Social Security, SSA and Harris Wofford, CEO, Corporation for
National Service.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
COMPUTER GENERATED CHECK FRAUD
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on Computer Generated Check
Fraud. Testimony was heard from Kevin T. Foley, Deputy Assistant Director,
U.S. Secret Service, Department of the Treasury; Charles L. Owens, Chief,
Financial Crimes Section, FBI, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
FINANCIAL SERVICES REFORM
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing on Financial Services Reform, focusing on "A Two Way Street" and
Functional Regulation. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
REVIEW OF EPA'S OZONE AND PARTICULATE MATTER NAAQS REVISIONS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations continued joint hearings on
Review of EPA's Proposed Ozone and Particulate Matter NAAQS Revisions:
Perspectives of State and Local Elected Officials. Testimony was heard from
Craig Peterson, Senator, State of Utah; Tom Alley, Representative, State of
Michigan; Alan Kukavich, Senator, State of Pennsylvania; Rick Russman,
Senator, State of New Hampshire; Richard L. Brodsky, D421Chairman, Committee
on Environmental Conservation, Assembly, State of New York; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D421]
Hearings continue May 8th.
EDUCATION--WHAT WORKS, WHAT'S WASTED
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations and the Subcommittee on the District of Columbia of the
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight held a joint hearing on
"Education at a Crossroads, What Works, What's Wasted in the D.C. School
System?" Testimony was heard from the following officials of the District of
Columbia: Marion Barry, Mayor; Julius Becton, Chief Executive Officer, Public
Schools; Bruce Maclaury, Chairman, Emergency Board of Trustees, Public
Schools; Don Reeves, President, Board of Education; and Kevin Chavous,
Chairman, Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation, City Council;
Joyce Ladner, member, Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance
Authority; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on the following:
Presidential and Executive Office Financial Accountability Act of 1997; and
Special Government Employee Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from
Representative Mica; Stephen Potts, Director, Office of Government Ethics; and
public witnesses.
REAUTHORIZATION--OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice held a hearing on
Reauthorization of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Testimony was
heard from Barry R. McCaffrey, Director, Office of National Drug Control
Policy; and Norman J. Rabkin, Director, Administration of Justice Issues, GAO.
FOREIGN POLICY REFORM ACT
Committee on International Relations: Continued markup of H.R. 1486, Foreign
Policy Reform Act.
Will continue May 6.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on the provision in the 1997
Omnibus Appropriations Act which removed the Narragansett Indian Tribe of
Rhode Island from the coverage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Testimony
was heard from Senators Chafee and Reed; Representative Weygand; David J.
Hayes, Counselor to the Secretary, Department of the Interior; the following
officials of the State of Rhode Island: Lincoln Almond, Governor; and Donald
J. Lally, Jr., Representative, House of Representatives; and public witnesses.
CIVILITY--HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Committee on Rules: Subcommittee on Rules and Organization of the House
concluded hearings on Civility in the House of Representatives. Testimony was
heard from Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Dean, Annenberg School for Communication,
University of Pennsylvania; Donald Wolfensberger, Guest Scholar, Woodrow
Wilson International Center for Scholars; Stephen Frantzich, Professor and
Chairman, Department of Political Science, U.S. Naval Academy; and Eric
Uslaner, Professor, Political Science, University of Maryland-College Park.
WHY EXPORTS MATTER
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance, and Exports held a
hearing on "Why Exports Matter". Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
REAUTHORIZATION--WAR RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on Reauthorization of the War Risk Insurance Program. Testimony was
heard from Gerald L. Dillingham, Associate Director, Transportation Issues,
Resources, Community and Economic Development Division, GAO; Louise E.
Maillett, Acting Assistant Administrator, Policy, Planning and International
Aviation, FAA, Department of Transportation; the following officials of the
U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense: Maj. Gen. Gary A. Voellger, USAF,
Director of Operations, Headquarters, Air Mobility Command; and Brig. Gen.
Gilbert J. Regan, USAF, Chief Counsel, Headquarters, U.S. Transportation
Command and Staff Judge Advocate, Air Mobility Command; and a public witness.
LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight concluded hearings on
the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Rangel and Metcalf; and public witnesses.
BRIEFING; BUDGET HEARING
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session for a
briefing on Chinese Counterintelligence Issues. The Committee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.
[Page: D422]
The Committee also met in executive session to hold a Budget hearing on
Legislative Issues. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
1997/05/05
Daily Digest - Monday, May 5, 1997, pages D427 - D430
Committee Meetings
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: On May 2, the Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and
Independent Agencies continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
1997/05/06
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 6, 1997, pages D431 - D438
Committee Meetings
FOREIGN POLICY REFORM ACT
Committee on International Relations: Continued markup of H.R. 1486, Foreign
Policy Reform Act.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on the following measures: H. Res. 87, expressing the
sense of the House of Representatives that the United States and the United
Nations should condemn coral reef fisheries that are harmful to coral reef
ecosystems and promote the development of sustainable coral reef fishing
worldwide; H.R. 608, Marion National Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act; and H.R.
796, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to make technical corrections to
a map relating to the Coastal Barrier Resources System. Testimony was heard
from Representative Hilliard; Timothy E. Wirth, Under Secretary, Global
Affairs, Department of State; William Knapp, Chief, Division of Fish
Hatcheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 985, to provide for the expansion of the
Eagles Nest Wilderness within Arapaho and White River National Forests, CO, to
include the lands known as the Slate Creek Addition upon the acquisition of
the lands by the United States; H.R. 1019, to provide for a boundary
adjustment and land conveyance involving the Raggeds Wilderness, White River
National Forest, CO, to correct the effects of earlier erroneous land surveys;
H.R. 1020, to adjust the boundary of the White River National Forest in the
State of Colorado to include all National Forest System lands within Summit
County, CO, which are currently part of the Dillon Ranger District of the
Arapaho National Forest; H.R. 1439, to facilitate the sale of certain land in
Tahoe National Forest, in the State of California to Placer County,
California; and H.R. 79, Hoopa Valley Reservation South Boundary Adjustment
Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Riggs; Janice McDougle, Acting
Deputy Chief, National Forest System, USDA; and a public witness.
OVERSIGHT--BUREAU OF RECLAMATION PROJECT FINANCING
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on
Bureau of Reclamation Project financing. Testimony was heard from Eluid L.
Martinez, Commissioner of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; Victor S.
Rezendes, Director, Energy, Resources, and Science Issues, GAO; Betsy A. Cody,
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy, Congressional Research Service,
Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
FLOOD PREVENTION AND FAMILY PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 478, Flood Prevention and Family Protection Act of 1997. The
rule makes in order the Committee on Resources amendment in the nature of a
substitute as an original bill for amendment purposes and said amendment in
the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. The rule authorizes
the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed
their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one
motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Young and Representatives Herger and Miller of California.
JUVENILE CRIME CONTROL ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 8 to 3, a modified closed rule on
H.R. 3, Juvenile Crime Control Act of 1997, providing one hour of general
debate equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on the Judiciary. The rule provides that the committee amendment in
the nature of a substitute will be considered as an original bill for
amendment purposes and will be considered as read. The rule waives points of
order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute for
failure to comply with clause 5(a) of rule XXI (appropriations on a
legislative bill).
The rule provides that no amendments to the committee amendment in the nature
of a substitute will be in order except those printed in the report of the
Committee on Rules. The rule provides that each amendment may be offered only
in the order printed in the report, shall be debatable for the time specified
in the report equally divided between the proponent and an opponent, and is
not amendable except as specified in the report.
[Page: D436]
The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes
during consideration of the bill, and to reduce the vote to five minutes on a
postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the
rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Chairman Hyde and Representatives McCollum, Dunn, Conyers,
Scott, Watt of North Carolina, Lofgren, Jackson-Lee of Texas, Waters,
Delahunt, Traficant, Stupak and Blumenauer.
TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on "Technology
in the Classroom: Panacea or Pandora's Box?" Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
SSA'S WEBSITE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
the Social Security Administration's Website. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of SSA: John J. Callahan, Acting Commissioner; and David
C. Williams, Inspector General; John Willemssen, Director, Information
Resources Management Issues; and public witnesses.
BRIEFING ON ENCRYPTION
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
briefing on Encryption. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses.
1997/05/07
Daily Digest - Wednesday, May 7, 1997, pages D439 - D448
Committee Meetings
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA-HUD, and Independent Agencies
held a hearing on the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Consumer
Information Center, and on the Office of Consumer Affairs. Testimony was heard
from Ann Brown, Chairman, Consumer Product Safety Commission; Teresa Navarro
Nasif, Director, Consumer Information Center, GSA; and Leslie L. Byrne,
Director, U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs.
FINANCIAL MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on Financial
Modernization, including H.R. 10, Financial Services Competitiveness Act of
1997. Testimony was heard fromJames L. Bothwell, Chief Economist, GAO; and
public witnesses.
[Page: D445]
RIEGLE-NEAL CLARIFICATION ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial
Institutions and Consumer Credit approved for full Committee action amended
H.R. 1306, Riegle-Neal Clarification Act of 1997.
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing on the Department of Energy's Office of Science and Technology (OST),
focusing on issues relating to OST-funded technologies and their deployment at
DOE sites. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Energy: Alvin Alm, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management; and Clyde
W. Frank, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Technology Development; the following
officials of the Resources, Community and Economic Development Division, GAO:
Victor S. Rezendes, Director, Energy, Resources, and Science Issues; and
Rachel J. Hesselink, Senior Evaluator; and a public witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported the following
bills: H.R. 5, amended, IDEA Improvement Act of 1997; and H.R. 1511, Cost of
Higher Education Review Act of 1997.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered and adopted a
motion urging the Chairman to request that the following measures be
considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Res. 121, expressing the sense of
the House of Representatives regarding the March 30, 1997, terrorist grenade
attack in Cambodia; H. Con. Res. 50, expressing the sense of the Congress
regarding the status of the investigation of the bombing of the Israeli
Embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992; and H. Con. Res. 63, expressing the sense of
the Congress regarding the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Plan and
reaffirming the commitment of the United States to the principles that led to
the establishment of that program.
FOREIGN POLICY REFORM ACT; MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: On May 6, the Committee ordered reported
amended H.R. 1486, Foreign Policy Reform Act.
The Committee also favorably considered and adopted a motion urging the
Chairman to request that the following measures be considered on the
Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 73, concerning the death of Chaim Herzog;
and H. Res. 103, amended, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that the United States should maintain approximately 100,000 U.S. military
personnel in the Asia and Pacific region until such time as there is a
peaceful and permanent resolution to the major security and political
conflicts in the region.
U.S. POLICY TOWARD INDONESIA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on U.S. Policy Toward Indonesia. Testimony was heard from
Aurelia Brazeal, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific
Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on Reclaiming Our Youth:
Grassroots Solutions to Crime and Violence. Testimony was heard from Speaker
Gingrich, Representative Fattah; the following officials of the District of
Columbia: David Gilmore, Receiver, Housing Authority; and members of the
Metropolitan Police Department; and public witnesses.
NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVES
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a
hearing on Naval Petroleum Reserves. Testimony was heard from Representative
Hefley; Martin J. Fitzgerald, Associate General Counsel, GAO; and Patricia Fry
Godley, Assistant Secretary, Fossil Energy, Department of Energy.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Research and
Development held a hearing on the fiscal year 1998 National Defense
Authorization request--Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Threat. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
EPA'S PARTICULATE MATTER AND OZONE STANDARDS
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment continued
hearings on "The Science Behind EPA's Proposed Particulate Matter/Ozone
Standards, Part 2". Testimony was heard from Carl E. Krentz, Mayor, La Porte,
Indiana; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following
measures: H. Con. Res. 49, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby; H. Con. Res. 66, authorizing the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the 16th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service;
and H. Con. Res. 67, authorizing the 1997 Special Olympics Torch Relay to run
through the Capitol Grounds.
[Page: D446]
The Committee approved two Committee GSA resolution amendments; and 21 Water
Resources Survey resolutions.
The Committee also approved other pending Committee business.
HIGH SPEED RAIL PROGRAMS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held
a hearing on High Speed Rail Programs. Testimony was heard from Jolene
Molitoris, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of
Transportation; and a public witness.
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT--STRATEGIES FOR THE VETERANS EMPLOYMENT
AND TRAINING SERVICE
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Benefits held a hearing on
Government Performance and Results Act strategies for the Veterans Employment
and Training Service. Testimony was heard from Preston M. Taylor, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training, Department of Labor;
Carlotta C. Joyner, Director, Education and Employment Issues, Health,
Education and Human Services Division, GAO; and representatives of various
veterans organizations.
1997/05/08
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 8, 1997, pages D450 - D458
Committee Meetings
DAIRY AND RELATED PRODUCTS TRADE BETWEEN U.S. AND EUROPEAN UNION
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a
hearing to review the status and future prospects for trade in livestock,
dairy, and poultry products between the United States and the European Union.
Testimony was heard from Representative Watkins; Paul Drazek, Special
Assistant to the Secretary, International Trade, USDA; and public witnesses.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on District of Columbia held a
hearing on D.C. Privatization of the Financial Management System. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
REAUTHORIZATIONS--EXPORT-IMPORT BANK AND U.S. PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy approved for full Committee action as amended
the following bills: H.R. 1370, to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the
United States; and H.R. 1488, to authorize U.S. participation in various
international financial Institutions.
REVIEW OF EPA'S OZONE AND PARTICULATE MATTER NAAQS REVISIONS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment and Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations continued joint hearings on Review of EPA's
Proposed Ozone and Particulate Matter NAAQS Revisions. Testimony was heard
from Frederick W. Lipfert, Department of Applied Science, Brookhaven National
Laboratory; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue May 15.
EXPANSION OF PORTABILITY AND HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-Employee
Relations held a hearing on H.R. 1515, Expansion of Portability and Health
Insurance Coverage Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Representative Moran
of Virginia; Kathleen Sebelius, Commissioner of Insurance, State of Kansas;
and public witnesses.
DOLLARS TO THE CLASSROOM
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Dollars to the Classroom. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Pitts, Graham and Blunt; Barbara Stock Nielsen,
Superintendent of Education and CEO, Department of Education, State of South
Carolina; and public witnesses.
[Page: D456]
OVERSIGHT--GPO
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information and Technology held a hearing on "Oversight of the
GPO". Testimony was heard from Michael DiMario, Public Printer, GPO; and
public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
held an oversight hearing of the NIH and FDA: Bioethics and the Adequacy of
Informed Consent. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Health and Human Services: William Raub, Deputy Assistant
Secretary and Acting Executive Director, National Bioethics Advisory
Committee; Mary Pendergast, Deputy Commissioner, FDA; David Satcher, M.D.,
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Harold Varmus, M.D.,
Director, NIH; and public witnesses.
ENCRYPTION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade held a hearing on Encryption: Individual Right to Privacy vs.
National Security. Testimony was heard from William Reinsch, Under Secretary,
Bureau of Export Administration, Department of Commerce; William Crowell,
Deputy Director, NSA, Department of Defense; Robert Litt, Deputy Assistant
Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; and public
witnesses.
FLAG DESECRATION--CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution approved for full
Committee action H.J. Res. 54, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of
the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical
desecration of the flag of the United States.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION BUDGET
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities held a hearing on the fiscal year 1998 military construction
budget. Testimony was heard from Representatives Gordon, Farr, Pappas,
Pallone, Whitfield, Bryant, Stupak, Smith of New Jersey and Frelinghuysen; and
public witnesses.
READY RESERVE MOBILIZATION PROGRAM STATUS
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a
hearing on the status of the Ready Reserve Mobilization Insurance Program.
Testimony was heard from Mark E. Gebicke, Director, Military Operations and
Capabilities Issues, National Security and International Affairs Division,
GAO; and the following officials of the Department of Defense: Robert J.
Lieberman, Jr., Assistant Inspector General, Auditing; and Deborah R. Lee,
Assistant Secretary, Reserve Affairs.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health approved for
full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 985, amended, to provide for
the expansion of the Eagles Nest Wilderness within Arapaho and White River
National Forests, CO, to include the lands known as the Slate Creek Addition
upon the acquisition of the lands by the United States; H.R. 1019, to provide
for a boundary adjustment and land conveyance involving the Raggeds
Wilderness, White River National Forest, CO, to correct the effects of earlier
erroneous land surveys; H.R. 1020, to adjust the boundary of the White River
National Forest in the State of Colorado to include all National Forest System
lands within Summit County, CO, which are currently part of the Dillon Ranger
District of the Arapaho National Forest; H.R. 1439, amended, to facilitate the
sale of certain land in Tahoe National Forest, in the State of California to
Placer County, California; and H.R. 79, amended, Hoopa Valley Reservation
South Boundary Adjustment Act.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 765, to ensure
maintenance of a herd of wild horses in Cape Lookout National Seashore; and
H.R. 1127, National Monument Fairness Act of 1997.
VETERANS LEGISLATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the
following: H.R. 1362, Veterans Medicare Reimbursement Demonstration Act of
1997; and proposals on both Medical Care Cost Recovery and physician's special
pay. Testimony was heard from Kathleen A. Buto, Associate Administrator,
Policy, Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human
Services; Paul Van de Water, Assistant Director, Budget Analysis, CBO; Kenneth
Kizer, M.D., Under Secretary, Health, Veterans Health Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations.
IRS' 1995 EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT COMPLIANCE STUDY
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Internal Revenue Service's
1995 Earned Income Tax Credit Compliance Study. Testimony was heard from
D457the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Michael P.
Dolan, Deputy Commissioner and Ted F. Brown, Assistant Commissioner, Criminal
Investigation, both with the IRS and John Karl Scholz, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Tax Analysis; and Lynda D. Willis, Director, Tax Policy and
Administration Issues, General Government Division, GAO.
1997/05/09
Daily Digest - Friday, May 9, 1997, pages D460 - D464
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
1997/05/12
Daily Digest - Monday, May 12, 1997, pages D466 - D468
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/05/13
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 13, 1997, pages D469 - D476
Committee Meetings
TEXAS LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL COMPACT CONSENT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power approved for full
Committee action H.R. 629, Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact
Consent Act.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on this measure.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Barton of Texas, Reyes, Bonilla and
Green; and public witnesses.
ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
joint hearing on the Endowment for the Arts. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Armey, Stearns, Doolittle, Lewis of Kentucky, Houghton,
Slaughter and Nadler; Jane Alexander, Chairman, National Endowment for the
Arts; and public witnesses.
TREATMENT OF INSIDE SALES PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC SECTOR VOLUNTEERS UNDER FAIR
LABOR STANDARDS ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing on the treatment of inside sales personnel and
public sector volunteers under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Testimony was
heard from Representative Myrick; and public witnesses.
EXPORT TRADE ADMINISTRATION--FUTURE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade held a hearing on the Future of the Export Trade
Administration. Testimony was heard from William Reinsch, Under Secretary,
Bureau of Export Administration, Department of Commerce; Thomas E. McNamara,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs, Department of State;
Michael Wallerstein, Deputy Acting Secretary, Counter Proliferation Policy,
International Security Policy, Department of Defense; and public witnesses.
VOLUNTEER PROTECTION ACT; PRIVATE IMMIGRATION BILL
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported amended H.R. 911, Volunteer
Protection Act of 1997.
The Committee also considered a private immigration bill.
OVERSIGHT--FBI
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held an oversight hearing on
the activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Michael R.
Bromwich, Inspector General; Frederic Whitehurst, Supervisory Special Agent,
Donald Thompson, Acting Assistant Director and James Maddock, Deputy General
Counsel, all with the FBI; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 231, to improve the integrity of the
Social Security card and to provide for criminal penalties for fraud and
related activity involving work authorization documents for purposes of the
Immigration and Nationality Act; H.R. 429, NATO Special Immigration Amendments
of 1997; H.R. 471, Illegal Alien Employment Disincentive Act of 1997; and H.R.
1493, to require the Attorney General to establish a program in local prisons
to identify, prior to arraignment, criminal aliens and aliens who are
unlawfully present in the United States. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Pickett, Gallegly and McCollum; Paul Virtue, Acting Executive
Associate Commissioner, Programs, Immigration and Naturalization Service,
Department of Justice; Sandy Crank, Associate Commissioner, Policy and
Planning, SSA; and public witnesses.
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL ACT FOR FY 1997
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 1469, 1997 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act
for Recovery from Natural Disasters, and for Overseas Peacekeeping Efforts,
Including Those in Bosnia, 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 bill. The rule provides that
the amendment printed in the rule and the amendment printed in Part 1 of the
Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted. The rule waives all
points of order against provisions in D474the bill for failure to comply with
clause 2 (prohibiting unauthorized or legislative provisions in a general
appropriations bill) and clause 6 (prohibiting reappropriations in a general
appropriations bill) of Rule XXI, except as specified in the rule. The rule
also waive all points of order against each amendment printed in Part 2 of the
Rules Committee report which may be offered in the order specified, shall be
debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled
by the proponent and an opponent, shall be offered only by the member
designated in the report, and is not amendable. The rule accords priority in
recognition to those Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record prior to their consideration. The rule also allows the
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration
of the bill, and to reduce the vote to five minutes on a postponed question
provided that the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. The rule waives points
of order against all amendments for failure to comply with clause 2(e) of rule
XXI (prohibiting non-emergency designated amendments to be offered to an
appropriations bill containing an emergency designation). Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was
heard from Chairman Livingston, Representatives Sabo, Miller of Florida,
Nethercutt, Neumann, McHugh, Ramstad, Spence, Gilman, Shuster, Goodling,
Barcia, Roukema, Gekas, Smith of Oregon, Morella, Shays, Stearns, Crapo,
Jackson-Lee, McKeon, Riggs, Coburn, Foley, Weldon of Florida, Obey, Kennedy of
Rhode Island, Kleczka, Kaptur, Olver, Meek of Florida, Dingell, Oberstar,
Cannon, Norton, Peterson of Minnesota, Condit, Harmon, Stupak, Maloney of New
York, Wynn, Romero-Barcelo, Pomeroy, Jones, Minge, Strickland, Barr of
Georgia, Davis of Virginia, Hilleary, and Thune.
[Page: D474]
URBAN EMPOWERMENT
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Empowerment held a hearing on
regulatory, tax, and licensing initiatives that empower businesses and
citizens in impoverished communities. Testimony was heard from Representative
Weller; and the following Mayors: Paul Helmke, Fort Wayne, Indiana and Victor
Ashe, Knoxville, Tennessee; and a public witness.
Hearings continue May 20.
BRIEFING--CHINA
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
briefing on China. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses.
1997/05/14
Daily Digest - Wednesday, May 14, 1997, pages D478 - D484
Committee Meetings
[Page: D481]
USDA--INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT PRACTICES
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition,
and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing to review the information technology
procurement practices of the USDA. Testimony was heard from Anne Thomson Reed,
Chief Information Officer, USDA; and Joel Willemssen, Director, Information
Resources Management Issues, GAO.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
Alexis M. Herman, Secretary of Labor.
FINANCIAL MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued hearings on Financial
Modernization, including H.R. 10, Financial Services Competitiveness Act of
1997. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
Hearings continue May 2l.
FINANCIAL SERVICES REFORM
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing on Financial Services Reform, focusing on Consolidation in the
Brokerage Industry. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
SAVINGS ARE VITAL TO EVERYONE'S RETIREMENT ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported amended H.R. 1377,
Savings Are Vital to Everyone's Retirement Act of 1997.
FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS--NATIONAL GUARD SUPPORT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held a hearing on
National Guard Support in the Fight Against Illegal Drugs. Testimony was heard
from Brad Owen, Lt. Governor, State of Washington; Michael Bowers, Attorney
General, State of Georgia; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE; ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS; COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on House Oversight: Ordered reported S. Con. Res. 26, to permit the
use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a congressional ceremony honoring Mother
Teresa.
Committee adopted a motion to authorize issuance of two subpoenas to the
Immigration and Naturalization Service in connection with the Contested
Election in the Forty-sixth District of California.
The Committee also considered other pending committee business.
CARIBBEAN: AN OVERVIEW
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
held a hearing on the Caribbean: An Overview. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of State: John Hamilton, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Central America and the Caribbean; and Joseph Sullivan,
Special Coordinator for Haiti; and public witnesses.
SECURITY AND FREEDOM THROUGH ENCRYPTION ACT; CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT--PROHIBITING FLAG DESECRATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 695,
amended, Security and Freedom Through Encryption (SAFE) Act; and H.J. Res. 54,
proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing
the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United
States.
APPREHENSION OF TAINTED MONEY ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on H.R. 1494, Apprehension of Tainted Money Act of 1997.
Testimony was heard from, Robert S. Litt, Deputy Assistant Attorney General,
Criminal Division, Department of Justice; Lawrence M. Noble, General Counsel,
FEC; and public witnesses.
JUDICIAL REFORM ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held a hearing on H.R. 1252, Judicial Reform Act of 1997. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Hyde, Bryant and Manzullo; Henry A. Politz, Chief Judge,
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; Anne Williams, District Judge, U.S.
District Court, Northern District of Illinois; from the following officials of
the State of California: Dan Lungren, Attorney General; and Richard Mountjoy,
Senator; and public witnesses.
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 1469, 1997 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for
Recovery from Natural Disasters, and for Overseas Peacekeeping Efforts,
Including Those in Bosnia. D482The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment printed in the
rule shall be considered as adopted.
[Page: D482]
The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to
comply with clause 2 (prohibiting unauthorized or legislative provisions in a
general appropriations bill) or clause 6 (prohibiting reappropriations in a
general appropriations bill) of Rule XXI, except as specified in the rule.
The rule also waives all points of order against each amendment printed in the
Rules Committee report which may only be offered in the order specified, shall
be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall be offered only by the
member designated in the report, and is not amendable.
The rule accords priority in recognition to those Members who have pre-printed
their amendments in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration. The
rule also allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes
during consideration of the bill, and to reduce the vote to 5 minutes on a
postponed question provided that the vote follows a 15 minute vote.
The rule waives points of order against all amendments for failure to comply
with clause 2(e) of rule XXI (prohibiting non-emergency designated amendments
to be offered to an appropriations bill containing an emergency designation).
Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY POSTURE
Committee on Science: Held a hearing on Department of Energy Posture.
Testimony was heard from Federico Pena, Secretary of Energy.
COMMERCIAL VESSEL SAFETY
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Commercial Vessel Safety.
Testimony was heard from Rear Adm. Robert C. North, USCG, Assistant
Commandant, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection, U.S. Coast Guard,
Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION'S COMPENSATION AND PENSION SERVICE
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Benefits held a hearing on
operations within the VA's Compensation and Pension Service using Government
Performance and Results Act (GPRA) principles, to review the adequacy of VA's
efforts in the processing of Persian Gulf War claims for compensation, and to
discuss legislation to limit the liability for compensating and treating
veterans with smoking-related diseases. Testimony was heard from Kristine
Moffitt, Director, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans
Affairs; Stephen Backhus, Director, Veterans' Affairs and Military Health Care
Issues, GAO; and representatives of veterans organizations.
1997/05/15
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 15, 1997, pages D486 - D494
Committee Meetings
USDA'S PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING DAIRY REFORMS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a
hearing to review the USDA's progress in implementing the dairy reforms in the
Foreign Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Testimony was heard
from Lon Hatamiya, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA; and
public witnesses.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT STUDY OF CASH SURPLUSES
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on the Department
of the Treasury Study of Cash Surpluses at the San Antonio Branch of the
Dallas Federal Reserve Bank. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of the Treasury: James Johnson, Assistant Secretary,
Enforcement; Stanley Morris, Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network;
and Edward Federico, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, IRS; Jonathan Wiener.
Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement,
Department of State; and public witnesses.
CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION
Committee on the Budget: Began markup of the Fiscal Year l998 Concurrent
Budget Resolution.
Will continue tomorrow.
REVIEW OF EPA'S OZONE AND PARTICULATE MATTER NAAQS REVISIONS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment and Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations continued joint hearings on Review of EPA's
Proposed Ozone and Particulate Matter NAAQS Revisions. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the EPA: Carol M. Browner, Administrator; Mary
D. Nichols, Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation; and Jonathan
Z. Cannon, General Counsel.
OVERSIGHT--JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held an oversight hearing on Judicial Misconduct and Discipline. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Barr of Georgia, DeLay, Hostettler and Lowey; and
public witnesses.
NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Research and
Development and the Subcommittee on Military Procurement held a joint hearing
on National Missile Defense. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Defense: Paul Kaminski, Under Secretary (Acquisition and
Technology); and Lt. Gen. Lester L. Lyles, USAF, Director, Ballistic Missile
Defense Organization.
MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY REFORM ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 741, Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act of 1997.
Testimony was heard from Senator Breaux; Representative Stearns; Robert
Streeter, Assistant Director, Refuges and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior; Brent Manning, Director, Department of
Natural Resources, State of Illinois; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held
an oversight hearing on Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement Authorities.
Testimony was heard from Sylvia Baca, Acting Director, Bureau of Land
Management, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING, AND LITERACY ENHANCEMENT ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 1385, Employment, Training, and Literacy Enhancement Act of
1997. The rule makes in order the Committee on Education and the Workforce
amendment in the nature of a substitute as an original bill for amendment
purposes, which shall be considered by division rather than by section and
each division shall be considered as read. The rule waives clause 5(a) of rule
XXI (appropriating on a legislative bill) against the committee amendment in
the nature of a substitute.
The rule provides for the consideration of the amendment numbered 1 printed in
the Congressional Record if offered by Representative McKeon or his designee,
which is considered as read, not subject to amendment or to a division of the
question, and is debatable for 10 minutes equally divided between the
proponent and an opponent. If adopted, the amendment is considered as part of
the base text for further amendment purposes. The rule authorizes the Chair to
accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their
amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion
to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Goodling and Representatives McKeon, Kildee and Clay.
[Page: D492]
"DOES OPIC HELP SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTERS?"
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance, and Exports held a
hearing on "Does OPIC Help Small Business Exporters?" Testimony was heard from
Mildred O. Callear, Acting President and CEO, Overseas Private Investment
Corporation, U.S. International Development Cooperation Agency; and public
witnesses.
ONE YEAR AFTER VALUJET CRASH
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on One Year After Valujet Crash--FAA Response to Hazmat and Cargo
Fire Protection Issues. Testimony was heard from Barry Valentine, Acting
Administrator, FAA, Department of Transportation; James E. Hall, Chairman,
National Transportation Board; and public witnesses.
INNOVATIVE FINANCING--ACQUIRING FEDERAL REAL ESTATE
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development held a hearing on Innovative Financing for
Acquiring Federal Real Estate and Scoring Issues. Testimony was heard from
Representative Blumenauer; Robert A. Peck, Commissioner, Public Buildings
Service, GSA; Herbert M. Franklin, Executive Officer, Architect of the
Capitol; and public witnesses.
VETERANS LEGISLATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health approved for full
Committee action the following: H.R. 1362, amended, Veterans Medicare
Reimbursement Demonstration Act of 1997; and a measure on physician's special
pay.
OVERSIGHT--U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held an oversight hearing
on U.S. Customs Service. Testimony was heard from George Weise, Commissioner,
U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury; Norman J. Rabkin, Director,
Administration of Justice Issues, General Government Division, GAO; and public
witnesses.
BRIEFING--NORTH KOREA
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on North Korea. The Committee was briefed by departmental
witnesses.
1997/05/16
Daily Digest - Friday, May 16, 1997, pages D496 - D502
Committee Meetings
CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION
Committee on the Budget: Ordered reported the Fiscal Year 1998 Concurrent
Budget Resolution.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Ordered reported the following
bills: H.R. 1057, to designate the building in Indianapolis, IN, which houses
the operations of the Circle City Station Post Office as the "Andrew Jacobs,
Jr. Post Office Building"; H.R. 1058, to designate the facility of the U.S.
Postal Service under construction at 150 West Margaret Drive in Terre Haute,
IN, as the "John T. Myers Post Office Building"; and H.R. 956, amended,
Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997.
TROUBLED MEDICARE TRANSACTION SYSTEM
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
and the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology held
a joint hearing on the Health Care Financing Administration's Management of
the Troubled Medicare Transaction System. Testimony was heard from Joel
Willemssen, Director, Information Resources, GAO; Bruce Vladeck, M.D.,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and
Human Services; and public witnesses.
1997/05/19
Daily Digest - Monday, May 19, 1997, pages D503 - D506
Committee Meetings
NASA'S MISSION AND AMERICA'S VISION--FUTURE OF SPACE EXPLORATION
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice continued hearings on
Defining NASA's Mission and America's Vision for the Future of Space
Exploration, Part II. Testimony was heard from the following Astronauts: Buzz
Aldrin; Scott Carpenter and Gene Cernan; and public witnesses.
CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION FOR FY 1998
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified closed rule on H. Con.
Res. 84, establishing the congressional budget for the United States
Government for fiscal year 1998 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels
for fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. The rule waives all points of
order against the resolution and against its consideration. The rule provides
for five hours of general debate (including one hour on the subject of
economic goals and policies) equally divided and controlled by the chairman
and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget and 20 minutes
controlled by Representative Minge or his designee. The rule provides for the
consideration of those 5 amendments in the nature of a substitute designated
in section 2 of the resolution, if printed in the portion of the Congressional
Record designated for that purpose, which may be offered only in the order
designated, may be offered only by a Member designated, shall be considered as
read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes (except as specified in the rule)
equally divided and controlled by a proponent and an opponent, and shall not
be subject to amendment. All points of order are waived against the amendments
designated in section 2. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce to
five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute
vote. The rule provides that the adoption of an amendment in the nature of a
substitute shall constitute the conclusion of consideration of the concurrent
resolution for amendment. The previous question shall be considered as ordered
on the concurrent resolution and amendments thereto to final passage without
intervening motion except amendments offered by the chairman of the Committee
on the Budget to achieve mathematical consistency. The rule further provides
that the concurrent resolution will not be subject to a demand for a division
of the question of its adoption. Finally, the rule provides that rule XLIX
(establishment of statutory limit on the public debt) shall not apply with
respect to the adoption by the Congress of a concurrent resolution on the
budget for fiscal year 1998. Testimony was heard from Chairman Kasich,
Representatives Hobson, Smith of Michigan, Shuster, Doolittle, Sam Johnson of
Texas, Doggett, Thompson, Minge, Brown of California, Oberstar, Peterson of
Minnesota, DeFazio, Waters, Boyd, and Turner.
1997/05/20
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 20, 1997, pages D507 - D514
Committee Meetings
FINANCING NATIONAL FOREST ROADS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and
Research held a hearing to review the financing of National Forest roads.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
DOE CIVILIAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on H.R.
1277, Department of Energy Civilian Research and Development Act of 1997.
Testimony was heard from Kyle Simpson, Senior Policy Advisor, Department of
Energy.
OVERSIGHT--CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing regarding the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
Testimony was heard from Isabelle Katz Pinzler, Acting Assistant Attorney
General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held an
oversight hearing regarding visa fraud and immigration benefits application
fraud. Testimony was heard from Mary Ryan, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of
Consular Affairs, Department of State; the following officials of the
Department of Justice: Paul W. Virtue, Acting Executive Associate
Commissioner, Programs, Immigration and Naturalization Service; and Michael R.
Bromwich, Inspector General; and Benjamin F. Nelson, Director, International
Relations and Trade Issues, National Security and International Affairs
Division, GAO.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing on the agreement reached by the United States, the
environmental community and the mining industry in the New World Mine proposed
buyout. Testimony was heard from Kathleen A. McGinty, Chair, Council on
Environmental Quality; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 60, to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to provide assistance to the Casa Malpais National Historic Landmark
in Springerville, AZ; H.R. 951, to require the Secretary of the Interior to
exchange certain lands located in Hinsdale, CO; H.R. 822, to facilitate a land
exchange involving private land within the exterior boundaries of Wenatchee
National Forest in Chelan County, WA; H.R. 1198, to direct the Secretary of
the Interior to convey certain land to the City of Grants Pass, OR; and H.R.
960, to validate certain conveyances in the City of Tulare, Tulare County, CA.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Hayworth, Thomas, Hastings of
Washington and Smith of Oregon; from the following officials of the Department
of the Interior: Katherine H. Stevenson, Associate Director, Cultural Resource
Stewardship and Partnership, National Park Service; and W. Hord Tipton,
Assistant Director, Bureau of Land Management; and public witnesses.
INTERNATIONAL DOLPHIN CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified closed rule providing 1
hour of debate on H.R. 408, International Dolphin Conservation Program Act.
The rule provides that, in lieu of the Resources Committee amendment, the
amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record
and numbered 1 shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of
amendment, and said amendment shall be considered as read. Clause 7 of rule
XVI (germaneness) is waived against the Resources Committee amendment in the
nature of a substitute.
The rule further provides for an amendment printed in the Congressional Record
to be offered by Representative Miller of California or his designee; and said
amendment shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for one hour equally
divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be
subject to amendment.
Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Saxton, Gilchrest,
Cunningham and Miller of California.
RURAL EMPOWERMENT
Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Empowerment held a hearing on
regulatory, tax, licensing incentives and impediments to empowerment in rural
and impoverished communities. Testimony was heard from Senator Lugar;
Representative Jones; and public witnesses.
[Page: D512]
1997/05/21
Daily Digest - Wednesday, May 21, 1997, pages D516 - D526
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
Members of Congress.
FINANCIAL MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued hearings on Financial
Modernization, including, H.R. 10, Financial Services Competitiveness Act of
1997. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
SEC AUTHORIZATION ACT; COMMON CENTS STOCK PRICING ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Material approved
for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1262, Securities and
Exchange Commission Authorization Act of 1997; and H.R. 1053, Common Cents
Stock Pricing Act of 1997.
JUVENILE CRIME CONTROL AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommitte on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families held a hearing on proposals for the Juvenile Crime Control
and Delinquency Prevention Act. Testimony was heard from Shay Bilchik,
Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention,
Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
STATUS OF SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON ERGONOMICS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing to review the status of scientific information on
ergonomics. Testimony was heard from Linda Rosenstock, M.D., Director,
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Health
and Human Services; and public witnesses.
DORNAN V. SANCHEZ
Committee on House Oversight: Met to consider motions on subpoenas issued in
connection with the Contested Election in the Forty-sixth District of
California.
OBSTACLES TO U.S.-AFRICAN TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa and the
Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade held a joint hearing
on Obstacles to U.S.-African Trade and Investment. Testimony was heard from
Jeffrey M. Lang, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative; and public witnesses.
QUADRENNIAL DEFENSE REVIEW
Committee on National Security: Held a hearing on Quadrennial Defense Review.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
William S. Cohen, Secretary; and Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, USA, Chairman,
Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 79,
amended, Hoopa Valley Reservation South Boundary Adjustment Act; H.R. 856,
amended, United States-Puerto Rico Political Status Act; H.R. 858, amended,
Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery and Economic Stability Act of 1997; H.R.
985, amended, to provide for the expansion of the Eagles Nest Wilderness
within Arapaho and White River National Forests, CO, to include the lands
known as the Slate Creek Addition upon the acquisition of the lands by the
United States; H.R. 1019, to provide for a boundary adjustment and land
conveyance involving the Raggeds Wilderness, White River National Forest, CO,
to correct the effects of earlier erroneous land surveys; H.R. 1020, to adjust
the boundary of the White River National Forest in the State of Colorado to
include all National Forest System lands within Summit County, CO, which are
currently part of the Dillon Ranger District of the Arapaho National Forest;
and H.R. 1439, amended, to facilitate the sale of certain land in Tahoe
National Forest, in the State of California to Placer County, California.
The Committee began markup of H.R. 1127, National Monument Fairness Act of
1997.
TWO-THIRDS VOTE WAIVER
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 4(b) of rule
XI (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Committee on Rules) against the same day consideration of
any resolution reported before May 23, 1997, providing for consideration of
specified measures. The waiver applies: (1) to a concurrent resolution on the
budget, an amendment thereto, a conference report thereon, or an amendment
reported in disagreement from a conference D523thereon; (2) to the bill H.R.
1469, making emergency supplemental appropriations for recovery from natural
disasters, and for overseas peacekeeping effort, including those in Bosnia,
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and for other purposes, an
amendment thereto, a conference report thereon, or an amendment reported in
disagreement from a conference thereon.
[Page: D523]
EPA'S PROPOSED PARTICULATE MATTER--OZONE STANDARDS
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment concluded
hearings on the Science behind EPA's Proposed Particulate Matter/Ozone
Standards, Part 3. Testimony was heard from Carol M. Browner, Administrator,
EPA.
COMMERCIAL SPACE ACT
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
Commercial Space Act of 1997: Commercial Remote Sensing, Part I. Testimony was
heard from Keith Calhoun-Senghor, Director, Office of Aid and Space
Commercialization, Department of Commerce; Susan Moran, Physical Scientist,
Southwest Watershed Research Center, USDA; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
MEDICAL KITS ON COMMERCIAL AIRLINES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on Medical Kits on Commercial Airlines. Testimony was heard from
Representative Kennelly; Jon L. Jordan, M.D., Federal Air Surgeon, FAA,
Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
VETERANS LEGISLATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
1362, amended, Veterans Medicare Reimbursement Demonstration Act of 1997; H.R.
1687, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that special pay paid
to certain physicians and dentists of the Veterans Health Administration who
retire before October 1, 1999, shall be considered to be basic pay for
retirement purposes; and H.J. Res. 75, to confer status as an honorary veteran
of the U.S. Armed Forces on Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope.
The Committee also held a hearing to accept the report of the Veterans' Claims
Adjudication Commission. Testimony was heard from William LaVere, member,
Veterans' Claims Adjudication Commission; Stephen L. Lemons, Acting Under
Secretary, Benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs; representatives of
veterans organizations; and a public witness.
1997/05/22
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 22, 1997, pages D527 - D536
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
Members of Congress.
FINANCIAL MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued hearings on Financial
Modernization, including, H.R. 10, Financial Services Competitiveness Act of
1997. Testimony was heard from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors,
Federal Reserve System; Ricki Helfer, Chairman, FDIC; the following officials
of the Department of the Treasury: Eugene Ludwig, Comptroller of the Currency;
and Nicolas Retsinas, Director, Office of Thrift Supervision; Arthur Levitt,
Jr., Chairman, SEC; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power approved for full
Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1277, amended, Department of Energy
Civilian Research and Development Act of 1997; H.R. 848, to extend the
deadline under the Federal Power Act applicable to the construction of the
AuSable Hydroelectric Project in New York; H.R. 1184, to extend the deadline
under the Federal Power Act for the construction of the Bear Creek
hydroelectric project in the State of Washington; and H.R. 1217, to extend the
deadline under the Federal Power Act for the construction of a hydroelectric
project located in the State of Washington.
NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection continued hearings on Reauthorization of the National Highway and
Traffic Safety Administration. D534Testimony was heard from Ricardo Martinez,
M.D., Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
[Page: D534]
21ST CENTURY--VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on Vocational and Technical Education for
the 21st Century. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
HIGHER EDUCATION--EARLY RETIREMENT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-Employee
Relations held a hearing on Early Retirement in Higher Education. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
ADMINISTRATION'S NATIONAL CAPITAL REVITALIZATION AND SELF-GOVERNMENT
IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on the District of
Columbia held a hearing on Economic Development of the Administration's
National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Plans.
Testimony was heard from Michael Barr, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Community
Development, Department of the Treasury; the following officials of the
District of Columbia: Marion Barry, Mayor; Linda Cropp, Chairwoman Pro
Tempore, City Council; and Charlene Drew-Jarvis, member, Council; and public
witnesses.
CENSUS 2000--RACE AND ETHNICITY
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on Race and Ethnicity
in the Census 2000. Testimony was heard from Senator Akaka; and public
witnesses.
AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa approved for full
Committee action amended H.R. 1432, African Growth and Opportunity Act.
FORCED LABOR IN CHINA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights held a hearing on Forced Labor in China. Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
FEDERAL AGENCY COMPLIANCE ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on H.R. 1544, Federal Agency Compliance Act. Testimony was
heard from Stephen H. Anderson, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit,
Salt Lake City, Utah; Stephen W. Preston, Deputy Assistant Attorney General,
Civil Division, Department of Justice; Arthur Fried, General Counsel, SSA;
Daniel J. Wiles, Deputy Associate Chief Counsel, IRS, Department of the
Treasury; and public witnesses.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT--APPLICATION TO MEDICAL LICENSURE AND JUDICIAL
OFFICERS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing
regarding Application of the Americans with Disabilities Act to Medical
Licensure and Judicial Officers. Testimony was heard from Richard S. Brown,
Judge, Court of Appeals, State of Wisconsin; Peter Verniero, Attorney General,
State of New Jersey; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 567, Madrid Protocol
Implementation Act; and H.R. 1661, Trademark Law Treaty Implementation Act.
Testimony was heard from Bruce A. Lehman, Commissioner and Assistant
Secretary, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce; Shaun
Donnelly, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Trade Policy and Programs, Bureau of
Economics and Business Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
QUADRENNIAL DEFENSE REVIEW
Committee on National Security: Continued hearings on Quadrennial Defense
Review. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Defense: Gen. Dennis J. Reimer, USA, Chief of Staff, Army; Adm. Jay L.
Johnson, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, Navy; Gen. Charles C. Krulak, USMC,
Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps; and Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, USAF, Chief of
Staff, Air Force.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and
Oceans approved for full Committee action the following measures: H.R. 608,
Marion National Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act; H.R. 796, amended, to direct the
Secretary of the Interior to make technical corrections to a map relating to
the Coastal Barrier Resources System; H.R. 1278, amended, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1997; H.R. 1658, Atlantic
Striped Bass Conservation Act Amendments of 1997; and H. Res. 87, expressing
the sense of the House of Representatives that the D535United States and the
United Nations should condemn coral reef fisheries that are harmful to coral
reef ecosystems and promote the development of sustainable coral reef fishing
worldwide.
[Page: D535]
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on H.R. 374, Sikes Act Improvement
Amendments of 1997. Testimony was heard from Representative Delahunt; Sherri
W. Goodman, Deputy Under Secretary, Environmental Security, Department of
Defense; Gary Edwards, Assistant Director, Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
COMMERCIAL SPACE ACT
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics continued hearings
on the Commercial Space Act of 1997: Space Transportation. Testimony was heard
from Edward A. Frankle, General Counsel, NASA; Patti Grace Smith, Associate
Administrator (Acting), Commercial Space Transportation, FAA, Department of
Transportation; and public witnesses.
SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PILOT PROGRAM
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Government Programs and Oversight
held a hearing on the performance of the Small Business Technology Transfer
Pilot Program (STTR). Testimony was heard from Susan D. Kladiva, Acting
Associate Director, Energy, Resources and Science Issues, Resources, Community
and Economic Development Issues, GAO; Kesh Narayan, Director, Industrial
Innovative Group, NSF; Daniel O. Hill, Assistant Administrator, Technology,
SBA; Robert L. Neal, Jr., Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization, Department of Defense; and public witnesses.
CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development held a hearing on H.R. 20, Capitol Visitor
Center Authorization Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Representative
Mica; Wilson Livingood, Sergeant at Arms, House of Representatives; Alan
Hantman, Architect of the Capitol; Winston Tabb, Associate Librarian, Library
of Congress; and public witnesses.
DVA--SAFETY AND SECURITY PROCEDURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing to review safety and security procedures within the Department
of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Veterans Affairs: John H. Baffa, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Security and Law Enforcement; Richard P. Miller, Director, G.V. "Sonny"
Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center, John E. Ogden, Director, Pharmacy
Service and Kenneth Faulstich, Engineering Management and Field Support
Office, all with the Veterans Health Administration; Joseph Wolfinger,
Assistant Director, Training Division, FBI, Department of Justice; Charles F.
Rinkevich, Director, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of
the Treasury; representatives of veterans organizations; and a public witness.
LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight approved for full
Committee action a Subcommittee Report on the Administration of the Low Income
Housing Tax Credit.
FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued
hearings on the Future of Social Security for this Generation and the Next,
focusing on the 1997 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees on the financial
status of the Social Security Trust Funds. Testimony was heard from the
following Trustees of the Social Security Board of Trustees, SSA: Marilyn Moon
and Stephen G. Kellison; and public witnesses.
BRIEFINGS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Human
Intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence met in executive session to
hold Briefings on Counter-terrorism Operations and Counter-proliferation
Operations. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses.
1997/05/23
Daily Digest - Friday, May 23, 1997, pages D538 - D542
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
1997/05/27
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 27, 1997, pages D543 - D544
[Committee Meetings]
[No committee meetings were held.]
1997/05/30
Daily Digest - Friday, May 30, 1997, pages D545 - D546
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
1997/06/02
Daily Digest - Monday, June 2, 1997, pages D547 - D552
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/06/03
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 3, 1997, pages D554 - D560
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from
Members of Congress.
FINANCIAL MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued hearings on Financial
Modernization, including H.R. 10, Financial Services Competitiveness Act of
1997. Testimony was heard from the following officials of D558the Department
of the Treasury: Robert E. Rubin, Secretary; and John D. Hawke, Jr., Under
Secretary.
[Page: D558]
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on Government
Performance and Results Act: Status and Prospects of the Results Act.
Testimony was heard from John Koskinen, Deputy Director, Management, OMB; and
L. Nye Stevens, Director, Federal Management and Workforce Issues, General
Government Division, GAO.
FEDERAL PROPERTY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on H.R. 404, to amend
the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the
transfer to State and local governments of certain surplus property for use
for law enforcement or public safety purposes. Testimony was heard from
Senator Feinstein; Representatives Calvert and Bono; Gordon Creed, Deputy
Assistant Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, GSA; and public witnesses.
PRIVATE CLAIMS AND IMMIGRATION MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims met and
considered private claims and immigration measures.
OVERSIGHT-INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held an oversight hearing on the CITES (Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) meeting. Testimony was
heard from David J. Barry, Acting Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and
Parks, Department of the Interior.
FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FY 1998-99 AND EUROPEAN SECURITY ACT
OF 1997
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, an open rule providing for
the consideration of H.R. 1757, to consolidate international affairs agencies
and to authorize appropriations for the Department of State and related
agencies for fiscal years 1998 and 1999. The rule provides one hour of general
debate equally divided and controlled between the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on International Relations. The rule provides
for consideration of the bill for amendment under the five-minute rule. The
rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes
during consideration of the bill and to reduce to five minutes on a postponed
question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. The rule also provides one
motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Section 2 of the rule
provides for consideration in the House of H.R. 1758, to ensure that the
enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) proceeds in a
manner consistent with United States interests, to strengthen relations
between the United States and Russia, and to preserve the prerogatives of the
Congress with respect to certain arms control agreements under a closed rule.
The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the
chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on International
Relations. The rule provides one motion to recommit which may include
instructions. Section 3 of the rule provides that in the engrossment of H.R.
1757, the Clerk shall await the disposition of H.R. 1758 pursuant to section 2
of the rule; add the test of H.R. 1758, as passed by the House, as a new
matter of the end of H.R. 1757; and make conforming and designation changes to
the titles within the engrossment. Section 3 also provides that upon the
addition of the text of H.R. 1758 to the engrossment of H.R. 1757, H.R. 1758
shall be laid on the table. Testimony was heard from Chairman Gilman,
Representatives Goodling, Smith of New Jersey, Rohrabacher, Kim, Fox of
Pennsylvania, Packard, Callahan, Kolbe, Hefley, Cox of California, Stearans,
Lazio, Mica, Miller of Florida, Scarborough, Weldon of Florida, Snowbarger,
Hamilton, Vento, Frank of Massachusetts, Kennedy of Massachusetts, Traficant,
Pallone, Condit, Engel, Moran of Virginia, Barcia, Brown of Florida, and
Jackson-Lee of Texas.
1997/06/04
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 4, 1997, pages D561 - D568
Committee Meetings
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 848, to
extend the deadline under the Federal Power Act applicable to the construction
of the AuSable Hydroelectric Project in New York; H.R. 1184, to extend the
deadline under the Federal Power Act for the construction of the Bear Creek
hydroelectric project in the State of Washington; H.R. 1217, to extend the
deadline under the Federal Power Act for the construction of a hydroelectric
project located in the State of Washington; and H.R. D5651277, amended,
Department of Energy Civilian Research and Development Act of 1997.
[Page: D565]
JFK ASSASSINATION RECORDS COLLECTION ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice approved for full
Committee action H. R. 1553, to amend the President John F. Kennedy
Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 to extend the authorization of
the Assassination Records Review Board until September 30, 1998.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on this legislation.
Testimony was heard from Representative Stokes; John Tunheim, Chair,
Assassination Records Review Board; Steve Tilley, Chief, John F. Kennedy
Assassination Records Collection, National Archives and Records
Administration; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--ANTITRUST ASPECTS OF ELECTRICITY DEREGULATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on the Antitrust Aspects
of Electricity Deregulation. Testimony was heard from Robert Pitofsky,
Chairman, FTC; Douglas Melamed, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General,
Antitrust Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on National Security: Merchant Marine Panel approved for full
Committee action H.R. 1119, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Years 1998 and 1999.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on National Security: Morale, Welfare and Recreation Panel approved
for full Committee action H. R. 1119, National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Installations and
Facilities approved for full Committee action amended H. R. 1119, National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999.
CONFERENCE REPORT ON FY 1998 BUDGET
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a rule waiving all points of
order against the Conference Report to Accompany H. Con. Res. 84, the
Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Years 1998-2002 and against its
consideration. The rule further provides for one hour of debate to be divided
equally between the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on the
Budget. Testimony was heard from Chairman Kasich.
WAIVING RULES REQUIREMENT TO ALLOW FOR SAME DAY CONSIDERATION
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a rule waiving clause 4(b) of
rule XI (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Committee on Rules) against the same day consideration of
any resolution reported before June 7, 1997, providing for consideration of
specified measures. The waiver applies to the emergency supplemental bill,
H.R. 1469, making emergency supplemental appropriations for recovery from
natural disasters, and for overseas peacekeeping efforts, including those in
Bosnia, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997 and for other purposes,
an amendment thereto, a conference report thereon, or an amendment reported in
disagreement from a conference thereon.
COMMERCIAL SPACE ACT
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics concluded hearings
on the Commercial Space Act of 1997: Commercial Remote Sensing, Part II.
Testimony was heard from D. James Baker, Under Secretary, Oceans and
Atmosphere, Department of Commerce; Cheryl Roby, Principle Deputy to the
Assistant Secretary, Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence,
Department of Defense; and a public witness.
JFK CENTER PARKING IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development approved for full Committee action amended
H.R. 1747, John F. Kennedy Center Parking Improvement Act of 1997.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on this legislation.
Testimony was heard from Lawrence J. Wilker, President, John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts.
MILITARY VOTING RIGHTS ACT
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on H. R. 699, the Military
Voting Rights Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Representatives Bonilla
and Sam Johnson of Texas; Phyllis J. Taylor, Director, Federal Voting
Assistance Programs, Washington Headquarters Services, Department of Defense;
Johnny H. Killian, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division, Congressional
Research Service, Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
[Page: D566]
BUDGET RECONCILIATION HEALTH PROPOSALS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health approved for full
Committee action as amended budget reconciliation health recommendations.
1997/06/05
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 5, 1997, pages D569 - D578
Committee Meetings
FOREST HEALTH--SCIENTIFIC REVIEW
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing on Scientific Review of Forest
Health. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on Occupational Safety and Health Review
Commission, on the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission and on the
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Testimony was heard from Stuart E.
Weisberg, Chairman, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; Mary Lu
Jordan, Chairman, Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; and the
following officials of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service: John
Calhoun Wells, Director; C. Richard Barnes, Deputy Director, Field Operations;
Wilma B. Liebman, Deputy Director, National Office Operations; and Fran
Leonard, Director, Budget and Finance.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power approved for full
Committee action the following budget reconciliation recommendations: Title
III, Subtitle A--NRC User Fees; Title III, Subtitle--Lease of Excess Strategic
Petroleum Reserve Capacity; and Title III, Subtitle C--Sale of DOE Assets.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommitee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection began markup of the following budget reconciliation recommendation:
Title III, Subtitle D--Communications.
Will continue June 10.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families held a hearing on proposed Vocational Education
legislation. Testimony was heard from Patricia McNeil, Assistant Secretary,
Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Department of Education; Robert
Bartman, Commissioner of Education, Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education, State of Missouri; and public witnesses.
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training, and Life-Long Learning continued hearings on H.R. 6,
Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998. Testimony was heard from
Representative Fattah; and public witnesses.
HEALTH INFORMATION--AIR INFORMATION PRACTICES
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on H.R. 52, to
establish a code of fair information practices for health information, to
amend section 552a of title 5, United States Code. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Condit, Green and Stearns; and public witnesses.
BLOOD SAFETY--FDA REGULATION
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
held a hearing on FDA Regulation of Blood Safety: Notification, Recall, and
Enforcement Practices. Testimony was heard from Bernice Steinhardt, Director,
Health Services Quality and Public Health Issues, GAO; and the following
officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Thomas D. Roslewicz,
Deputy Inspector General, Audit Services, Office of Inspector General; Michael
Friedman, M.D., Lead Deputy Commissioner, Jay S. Epstein, M.D., Director,
Office of Blood Research and Review and Ronald G. Chesemore, Associate
Commissioner, Regulatory Affairs, all with the FDA.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE; BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Postal Service
approved for full Committee action the following: H.R. 1254, amended, to
designate the U.S. Post Office building located at Bennett and Kansas Avenue
in Springfield, Missouri, as the "John N. Griesemer Post Office Building"; and
Budget Reconciliation recommendations relating to the U.S. Postal Service.
The Subcommittee also approved for full Committee action Budget Reconciliation
recommendations.
[Page: D575]
OVERSIGHT--FBI
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime continued oversight hearings
regarding the activities of the FBI. Testimony was heard from Louis J. Freeh,
Director, FBI, Department of Justice.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Personnel approved
for full Committee action amended H.R. 1119, National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Readiness approved
for full Committee action amended H.R. 1119, National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999.
CONFERENCE REPORT--EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order
against the conference report on H.R. 1469, making emergency supplemental
appropriations for recovery from natural disasters, and for the overseas
peacekeeping efforts, including those in Bosnia, for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1997, and against its consideration. The rule also provides that
the conference report shall be considered as read. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Livingston.
OVERSIGHT--SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT FAIRNESS ACT
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act (P.L. 104-121), including the amendments to the
Regulatory Flexibility Act contained therein. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Skelton and Ewing; and public witnesses.
GREAT LAKES AVIATION GROUNDING
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on Grounding of Great Lakes Aviation. Testimony was heard from Barry
Valentine, Acting Administrator, FAA, Department of Transportation; and public
witnesses.
TVA FUTURE
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on The Future of TVA and its
Non-power Programs. Testimony was heard from Representatives Wamp, Bryant,
Clement and Gordon; the following officials of the TVA: Craven Crowell,
Chairman; Johnny H. Hayes and William H. Kennoy, both Directors; and public
witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Benefits held an oversight
hearing to review the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) strategies
for both the Education Service and the Vocational Rehabilitation and
Counseling Service (VR&C) within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony
was heard from Cynthia M. Fagnoni, Acting Associate Director, Veterans'
Affairs and Military Health Care Issues, GAO; and the following officials of
the Department of Veterans Affairs: Celia Dollarhide, Director, Education
Service; Jeffrey T. Goetz, Operations Manager, Vocatioal Rehabilitation and
Counseling Service; and Robert Gardner, Chief Financial Officer, Veterans
Benefits Administration.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources approved for full
committee action budget reconciliation welfare recommendations.
INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session and
ordered reported amended H.R. 1775, Intelligence Authorization Act of Fiscal
Year 1998.
1997/06/06
Daily Digest - Friday, June 6, 1997, pages D579 - D581
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/06/07
Daily Digest - Saturday, June 7, 1997, pages D583 - D584
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/06/09
Daily Digest - Monday, June 9, 1997, pages D585 - D588
Committee Meetings
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on Total Quality
Management. Testimony was heard from Harry Hertz, Director, National Quality
Programs, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of
Commerce; Thomas Carroll, National Director for Quality, IRS, Department of
the Treasury; David Cooke, Director, Administrator and Management, Department
of Defense; Steve Wall, Director, Office of Quality Services, State of Ohio;
Greg Frampton, Executive Administrator, Department of Revenue, State of South
Carolina; and public witnesses.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION--HEALTH
Committee on Ways and Means: Approved health reconciliation recommendations to
be transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion in Budget
Reconciliation legislation.
1997/06/10
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 10, 1997, pages D589 - D596
Committee Meetings
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on National Institute of Health Priority-Setting.
Testimony was heard from Harold Varmus, M.D., Director, NIH, Department of
Health and Human Services.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment approved for
full Committee action the following Budget Reconciliation recommendations:
Title IV--Committee on Commerce-Medicare; Title III, Subtitle E--Medicaid; and
Title III, Subtitle F--Child Health Assistance Programs.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection approved for full Committee action amended the following Budget
Reconciliation recommendation: Title III, Subtitle D--Communications.
OVERSIGHT--FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held an oversight hearing on the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE; BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Civil Service
approved for full Committee action the following: H.R. 1316, to amend chapter
87 of title 5, United States Code, with respect to the order of precedence to
be applied in the payment of life insurance benefits; and Budget
Reconciliation recommendations.
OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S: MISSION, MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
continued hearings on Department of Labor's: Mission, Management, and
Performance. Testimony was heard from Alexis M. Herman, Secretary of Labor.
ADMINISTRATION'S--TRADE PRIORITIES
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Trade Priorities of
the Administration. Testimony was heard from Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade
Representative.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 567, Madrid
Protocol Implementation Act; H.R. 1661, amended, to implement the provisions
of the Trademark Law D594Treaty; H.R. 1581, to reauthorize the program
established under chapter 44 of title 28, United States Code, relating to
arbitration; and H.R. 1252, amended, Judicial Reform Act of 1997.
[Page: D594]
PROHIBITION OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS WITH COUNTRIES SUPPORTING TERRORISM ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on H.R. 748,
Prohibition of Financial Transactions with Countries Supporting Terrorism Act
of 1997. Testimony was heard from William C. Ramsay, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Energy, Sanctions, and Commodities, Bureau of Economic and Business
Affairs, Department of State; R. Richard Newcomb, Director, Office of Foreign
Assets Control, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement approved
for full Committee action H.R. 1119, National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Research and
Development approved for full Committee action H.R. 1119, National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999.
AMERICAN LAND SOVEREIGNTY PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 901, American Land Sovereignty
Protection Act. Testimony was heard from Rafe Pomerance, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs,
Department of State; Denis P. Galvin, Acting Deputy Director, National Park
Service, Department of the Interior; Charles P. Childers, Representative,
State of Wyoming; Jeannette James, Representative, State of Alaska; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources; Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 588, National Discovery Trails Act of
1997; and H.R. 1513, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the
Lincoln National Historic Trail as a component of the National Trails System.
Testimony was heard from Representative Bereuter; Katherine H. Stevenson,
Associate Director, Cultural Resource Stewardship and Partnership, National
Park Service, Department of the Interior; Robert C. Joslin, Deputy Chief,
Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate, on H.R. 437, National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of
1997, with 40 minutes equally divided between the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Resources and 20 minutes equally divided
between the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Science.
The rule provides that, in lieu of the Science Committee amendment now printed
in the bill, that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the
Congressional Record and numbered 1 shall be considered as an original bill
for the purpose of amendment, and provides that the amendment shall be
considered as read. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or
without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representative Saxton.
DESECRATION OF THE FLAG--CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing 2 hours of
debate on H.J. Res. 54, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the
United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of
the flag of the United States. The rule provides one motion to recommit which
may include instructions only if offered by the Minority Leader or his
designee, and if including instructions, shall be debatable for 1 hour equally
divided between the proponent and an opponent. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Hyde and Representative Canady.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION WELFARE RECOMMENDATIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Approved welfare reconciliation recommendations
to be transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion in Budget
Reconciliation legislation.
1997/06/11
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 11, 1997, pages D597 - D606
Committee Meetings
CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and
Research held a hearing to review the 1997 Conservation Reserve Program
contract announcement. Testimony was heard from D603Dallas Smith, Acting Under
Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, USDA.
[Page: D603]
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education held a hearing on the National Education Goals Panel; the
National Mediation Board; and the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Testimony was
heard from Ken Nelson, Executive Director, National Education Goals Panel; the
following officials of the National Mediation Board: Kenneth B. Hipp,
Chairman, Ernest DuBester and Magdalena G. Jacobsen, both Members, and June D.
W. King, Chief Financial Officer; and Dennis W. Jahnigen, M.D., Chairman,
Armed Forces Retirement Home Board.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in
executive session to hold a hearing on Future Bomber/Deep Attack Capabilities.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
John J. Hamre, Comptroller; Gen. Eugence E. Habiger, USAF, Commander in Chief,
U.S. Strategic Command; Gen. Richard E. Hawley, USAF, Commander, Air Combat
Command; and Lt. Gen. David J. McCloud, USAF, Director, Force Structure,
Resources and Assessment (J-8), Joint Chiefs of Staff, all with the Department
of the Air Force.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION; COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Approved Budget Reconciliation
recommendations to be transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion
in Budget Reconciliation legislation.
The Committee also considered pending Committee business.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Commerce: Approved the following Budget Reconciliation
recommendations to be transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion
in Budget Reconciliation legislation: Title III, Subtitle A--Nuclear
Regulatory Commission Annual Charges; Title III, Subtitle B--Lease of Excess
Strategic Petroleum Reserve Capacity; Title III, Subtitle C--Sale of DOE
Assets; and Title III, Subtitle D--Communications.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION; EXPANSION OF PORTABILITY AND HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Began consideration of the
following: Budget Reconciliation recommendations; and H.R. 1515, Expansion of
Portability and Health Insurance Coverage Act of 1997.
Will continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Ordered reported the following
measures: H.R. 1553, to amend the President John F. Kennedy Assassination
Records Collection Act of 1992 to extend the authorization of the
Assassination Boards Review Board until September 30, 1998; H.J. Res. 56,
celebrating the end of slavery in the United States; and H.R. 1316, amended,
to amend chapter 87 of title 5, United States Code, with respect to the order
of precedence to be applied in the payment of life insurance benefits.
The Committee also approved Budget Reconciliation recommendations to be
transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion in Budget
Reconciliation legislation.
PRIVATE IMMIGRATION BILL; CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE REFORM
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported a private immigration bill.
The Committee also held a hearing on civil asset forfeiture reform, including
discussion of H.R. 1835, Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act. Testimony was
heard from Stefan D. Cassella, Deputy Chief, Asset Forfeiture and Money
Laundering Section, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; Jan P. Blanton,
Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture, Department of the Treasury; and public
witnesses.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Began markup of H.R. 1119, National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999.
NOAA AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported amended H.R. 1278, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1997.
EXPEDITED PROCEDURE
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 4(b) of rule
XI (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 waiver applies to a special rule reported before June
14, 1997 providing for consideration of a bill introduced by the Chairman of
the Committee on Appropriations making supplemental appropriations for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1997.
[Page: D604]
BUDGET RECONCILIATION; MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Approved Budget Reconciliation
recommendations to be transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion
in Budget Reconciliation legislation.
The Committee also ordered reported amended the following bills: H.R. 849, to
prohibit an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States from
receiving assistance under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property
Acquisition Policies Act of 1970; and H.R. 1747, John F. Kennedy Center
Parking Improvement Act of 1997.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Began markup of Budget Reconciliation tax
recommendations.
Will continue tomorrow.
IRAN BRIEFING
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Iran. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
1997/06/12
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 12, 1997, pages D607 - D616
Committee Meetings
FOREST ECOSYSTEM; BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing on forest ecosystem health in the
Pacific Coast and Southern Regions. Testimony was heard from Ann Hanus,
Assistant Forester, Department of Forestry, State of Oregon; and public
witnesses.
The Committee also approved Budget Reconciliation recommendations to be
transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion in Budget
Reconciliation legislation.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Commerce: Approved the following Budget Reconciliation
recommendations to be transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion
in Budget Reconciliation legislation: Title IV--Committee on
Commerce-Medicare; Title III, Subtitle E--Medicaid; and Title III, Subtitle
F--State Child Health Coverage Assistance.
EXPANSION OF PORTABILITY AND HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE ACT; BUDGET
RECONCILIATION
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported amended H.R. 1515,
Expansion of Portability and Health Insurance Coverage Act of 1997.
The Committee also approved Budget Reconciliation recommendations to be
transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion in Budget
Reconciliation legislation.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families approved for full Committee action amended the following
measures: H.R. 1853, Carl D. Perkins Vocation and Applied Technology Act
Amendments of 1997; H.R. 1818, Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency
Prevention Act of 1997; and H.Res. 139, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the Department of Education, States, and local education
agencies should spend a greater percentage of Federal education tax dollars in
our children's classrooms.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
held an oversight hearing on Reducing Regulatory Mandates on Education.
Testimony was heard from Representative Granger; and public witnesses.
BIOMATERIALS ACCESS ASSURANCE ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on H.R. 872, Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1997.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime approved for full Committee
action the following measures: H.R. 103, Private Security Officer Quality
Assurance Act of 1997; Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997; H.R. 748,
amended, Prohibition on Financial Transactions With Countries Supporting
Terrorism Act of 1997; H.R. 1532, amended, Veterans' Cemetery Protection Act
of 1997; H.R. 1683, Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually
Violent Offenders Registration Improvements Act of 1997; H.Res. 154,
expressing the sense of the House that the Nation's children are its most
valuable assets and that their protection should be the Nation's highest
priority; H.Con.Res. 75, expressing the sense of the Congress that States
should D612work more aggressively to attack the problem of violent crimes
committed by repeat offenders and criminals serving abbreviated sentences; and
H.R. 1840, Law Enforcement Technology Advertisement Clarification Act of 1997.
[Page: D612]
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION; DEFENSE REFORM ACT
Committee on National Security: Ordered reported amended the following bills:
H.R. 1119, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999;
and H.R. 1778, Defense Reform Act of 1997.
OVERSIGHT--REINTRODUCTION OF GRIZZLY BEAR IN NATIONAL FORESTS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on reintroduction of the grizzly bear in the public domain
National Forests. Testimony was heard from Hal Salwasser, Regional Forester,
Forest Service, USDA; Ralph O. Morgenweck, Director, Mountain Prairie Region,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; the following
officials of the State of Idaho: Ric Branch, Senator; and Stephen Mealey,
Director, Department of Fish and Game; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing on Bonneville Power Administration, status of Regional Review Process.
Testimony was heard from Randall W. Hardy, CEO and Administrator, Bonneville
Power Administration, Department of Energy; and public witnesses.
COMMERCIAL SPACE ACT
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics approved for full
Committee action amended H.R. 1702, Commercial Space Act of 1997.
CLONING--ADMINISTRATION'S COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on the
Administration's Commission's Recommendations on Cloning. Testimony was heard
from Harold Varmus, M.D., Director, NIH, Department of Health and Human
Services; and the following officials of the National Bioethics Advisory
Commission: Harold T. Shapiro, Chairman; Thomas H. Murray, Chairman, Genetics
Subcommittee; and David R. Cox, M.D., member.
ESTATE TAXES IMPACT ON SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESSES
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Taxation, Finance and Exports
held a hearing on the Impact of Estate Taxes on Small and Family Businesses.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
INTERNATIONAL AVIATION BILATERALS AND CODE-SHARING RELATIONSHIPS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on International Aviation Bilaterals and Code-Sharing Relationships,
focusing on Japan. Testimony was heard from Patrick V. Murphy, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Aviation and International Affairs, Department of
Transportation; and public witnesses.
MILITARY VOTING RIGHTS ACT; BUDGET RECONCILIATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported H.R. 699, Military Voting
Rights Act of 1997.
The Committee also approved Budget Reconciliation recommendations to be
transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion in Budget
Reconciliation legislation.
BUDGET RECONCILIATION TAX RECOMMENDATIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Approved tax reconciliation recommendations to be
transmitted to the Committee on the Budget for inclusion in Budget
Reconciliation legislation.
BRIEFING--NORTH KOREA
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on North Korea. The Committee was briefed by departmental
witnesses.
1997/06/16
Daily Digest - Monday, June 16, 1997, pages D617 - D620
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/06/17
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 17, 1997, pages D621 - D628
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE RESEARCH
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and
Research held a hearing on the role of federal, state, and private
agricultural research. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
USDA: Ed Knipling, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Research Service; and
Dan Dooley, Vice Chairman, Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and
Economics Advisory Board; and public witnesses.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior approved for full
Committee action the Interior appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
FINANCIAL MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Began markup of Financial
Modernization legislation.
Will continue tomorrow.
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning held a hearing on H.R. 6, Higher
Education Act Amendments of 1998. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
Hearings continue June 19.
WITNESS INTIMIDATION AND RETALIATION--GANG-RELATED
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing regarding
gang-related witness intimidation and retaliation. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
VISA WAIVER PILOT PROGRAM
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held an
oversight hearing regarding the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Kim, Abercrombie and Frank of Massachusetts; Mary Ryan,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State; Michael
Cronin, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Inspections, Immigration and
Naturalization Service, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
DEFENSE REFORM ACT
Committee on National Security: Held a hearing on H.R. 1778, Defense Reform
Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: John Hamre, Under Secretary, Comptroller; R. Noel
Longuemare, Acting Under Secretary, Acquisition and Technology; and Sherri
Goodman, Deputy Under Secretary, Environmental Security; Butch Hinton,
Assistant Comptroller General, GAO; Gale Norton, Attorney General, State of
Colorado; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forest and Forest Health approved for
full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 799, to require the Secretary
of Agriculture to make a minor adjustment in the exterior boundary of the
Hells Canyon Wilderness in the States of Oregon and Idaho to exclude an
established Forest Service road inadvertently included in the wilderness; and
H.R. 838, to require adoption of a management plan for the Hells Canyon
National Recreation Area that allows appropriate use of motorized and
nonmotorized river craft in the recreation area.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1051, New Mexico Statehood and Enabling
Act Amendments of 1997; and H.R. 1567, to provide for the designation of
additional wilderness lands in the eastern United States. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Skeen and Redmond; Destry T. Jarvis, Assistant Director,
External Affairs, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Janice
McDougle, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System, USDA; and a public
witness.
CHINA--MFN STATUS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on
U.S.-China Trade Relations and renewal of China's Most-Favored-Nation Status.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Solomon, Dreier, Levin, Smith of New
Jersey, Pelosi, Porter, Wolf, Kolbe, Ewing, Blumenauer and Salmon;
D626Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative; Stuart E. Eizenstat, Under
Secretary, Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, Department of State;
and public witnesses.
[Page: D626]
1997/06/18
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 18, 1997, pages D629 - D636
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH--PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP EFFORTS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and
Research held a hearing on public and private partnership efforts in
agricultural research. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
USDA: Robert E. Armstrong, Acting Executive Director, Alternative Agricultural
Research and Commercialization Corporation; Bob Robinson, Administrator,
Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service; and Peter
Johnson, Director, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research; and
public witnesses.
BUDGET ALLOCATION
Committee on Appropriations: Approved a Section 602(b) budget allocation
report for fiscal year 1998.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction approved
for full Committee action the Military Construction appropriation for fiscal
year 1998.
FINANCIAL MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued markup of Financial
Modernization legislation.
Will continue tomorrow.
TRANSPORTATION-RELATED AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing
on Reauthorizaton of Transportation-Related Air Quality Improvement Programs.
Testimony was heard from David M. Gardiner, Assistant Administrator, Policy,
Planning and Evaluation, EPA; Kevin Heanue, Director, Office of Environment
and Planning, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation;
and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported amended H.R. 1818,
Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1997.
The Committee also began markup of H. Res. 139, expressing the sense of the
House of Representatives that the Department of Education, States, and local
education agencies should spend a greater percentage of Federal education tax
dollars in our children's classrooms.
COMMITTEE RULES
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Amended Committee rules
regarding deposition authority.
OVERSIGHT--ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on Oversight of
Electronic Funds Transfer. Testimony was heard from Jerry Hawke, Under
Secretary, Domestic Finance, Department of the Treasury; Marty Wagner,
Associate Administrator, GSA; Mark D. Catlett, Chief Financial Officer,
Department of Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses.
AFRICA'S EMERGING CAPITAL MARKETS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on
Africa's Emerging Capital Markets. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
U.S.-VIETNAM RELATIONS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on the U.S.-Vietnam Relations. Testimony was heard from Jeffrey
D633Bader, Deputy Assistant Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs,
Department of State; Susan G. Esserman, General Counsel, Office of the U.S.
Trade Representative; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
[Page: D633]
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
1866, Need-Based Educational Aid Antitrust Protection Act of 1997; H.R. 1901,
Federal Tort Claims Act Clarification Act; H.R. 1086, amended, to codify
without substantive change laws related to transportation and to improve the
United States Code; H.R. 103, Private Security Officer Quality Assurance Act
of 1997; H.R. 1847, amended, Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997; H.R.
748, amended. Prohibition on Financial Transactions With Countries Supporting
Terrorism Act of 1997; H.R. 1532, amended, Veterans' Cemetery Protection Act
of 1997; H. Res. 154, expressing the sense of the House that the Nation's
children are its most valuable assets and that their protection should be the
Nation's highest priority; H. Con. Res. 75, expressing the sense of the
Congress that States should work more aggressively to attack the problem of
violent crimes committed by repeat offenders and criminals serving abbreviated
sentences; H.R. 1840, Law Enforcement Technology Advertisement Clarification
Act of 1997; H.R. 567, Madrid Protocol Implementation Act; H.R. 1661, amended,
Trademark Law Treaty Implementation Act; H.R. 1581, to reauthorize the program
established under chapter 44 of title 28, United States Code, relating to
arbitration; and H.R. 1898, Juvenile Rape in Prison Protection Act of 1997.
VOLUNTEERS FOR WILDLIFE ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 1856, Volunteers for Wildlife Act of 1997.
Testimony was heard from Robert Streeter, Assistant Director, Refuges and
Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and
public witnesses.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITIES--COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Rules: Held a hearing on H. Res. 167, providing special
investigative authorities for the Committee on Government Reform and
Oversight. Testimony was heard from Chairman Burton and Representative Waxman.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a structured rule on H.R.
1119, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999
providing two hours of general debate equally divided between the chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on National Security. The rule waives
all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides for
consideration of the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute now
printed in the bill as an original bill for the purposes of amendment and all
points of order are waived against the amendment in the nature of a
substitute. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the
report of the Committee on Rules and the amendments en bloc described in
section 3 of the resolution. The rule provides that, except as specified in
section 5 of the resolution, amendments will be considered only in the order
and manner specified in the report. Except as otherwise provided in the
report, amendments shall be debatable for 10 minutes divided between a
proponent and an opponent. Amendments shall be considered as read and are not
amendable (except for pro forma amendments offered by the Chairman and ranking
minority member of the National Security Committee). All points of order are
waived against the amendments printed in the report and those described in
section 3 of this resolution. The rule provides for an extra 60 minutes of
debate on Bosnia, equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on National Security. The rule authorizes the Chairman
of the National Security Committee or his designee to offer amendments en bloc
consisting of amendments in part 2 of the report or germane modifications
thereto, which shall be considered as read except that modifications shall be
reported, shall be debatable for 20 minutes divided between the Chairman and
ranking member of the National Security Committee or their designees and which
shall not be subject to amendment or demand for division of the question. The
rule provides that, for the purposes of inclusion in such amendments en bloc,
an amendment printed in the form of a motion to strike may be modified to the
form of a germane perfecting amendment to the text originally proposed to be
stricken. The original proponent of an amendment included in such amendments
en bloc may insert a statement in the Congressional Record immediately before
the dispositions of the en bloc amendments. The rule permits the Chairman of
the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes on any amendment and to reduce to
5 minutes the time for voting after the first of a series of votes provided
that the first vote is not less than 15 minutes. The rule also permits the
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to recognize for consideration of any
amendment printed in the report out of the order in which printed, D634but not
sooner than one hour after the Chairman of the Committee on National Security
or a designee announces from the floor a request to the effect. The rule
provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Finally, the
rule provides that House Resolutions 161, 162, and 165 are laid on the table.
Testimony was heard from Chairman Spence, and Representatives Weldon of
Pennsylvania, Hefley, Saxton, Buyer, Everett, Bartlett, Watts of Oklahoma,
Jones, Hilleary, Gilman, Bereuter, Oxley, Kasich, Dan Schaefer of Colorado,
Shays, Stearns, Bachus, Mica, Foley, Forbes, Fox of Pennsylvania,
Frelinghuysen, Wamp, Metcalf, Brady, Thune, Dellums, Skelton, Spratt, Pickett,
Evans, McHale, Taylor of Mississippi, Harman, McHale, Kennedy of Rhode Island,
Blagojevich, Rodriguez, Markey, Mink of Hawaii, Dicks, Frank of Massachusetts,
Hoyer, Traficant, Pallone, Condit, Faleomavaega, Nadler, Moran of Virginia,
Roemer, Sanders, Maloney of New York, Jackson-Lee of Texas, Woolsey, Farr of
California, Luther, Millender-McDonald, and Lofgren.
COMMERCIAL SPACE ACT
[Page: D634]
Committee on Science: Ordered reported amended H.R. 1702, Commercial Space Act
of 1997.
CHINA'S MFN STATUS
Committee on Ways and Means: Adversely ordered reported H.J. Res. 79,
disapproving the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment, most-favored-nation
treatment, to the products of the People's Republic of China.
1997/06/19
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 19, 1997, pages D638 - D644
Committee Meetings
FOREST ECOSYSTEM HEALTH
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing on forest ecosystem health in the
Inland West and Northeast. Testimony was heard from Michael Dombeck, Chief,
Forest Service, USDA; Jim Hubbard, State Forester, Forest Service, State of
Colorado; Phil Bryce, State Forester, Division of Forest and Lands, State of
New Hampshire; Chuck Gadzik, State Forester, Forest Service, State of Maine;
and public witnesses.
[Page: D642]
FINANCIAL MODERNIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued markup of Financial
Modernization legislation.
Will continue tomorrow.
ELECTRICITY: RELIABILITY AND COMPETITION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee On Energy and Power held a hearing on
Electricity: Reliability and Competition. Testimony was heard from Susan F.
Clark, Commissioner, Public Service Commission, State of Florida; and public
witnesses.
NIH--CONTINUED MANAGEMENT CONCERNS
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a
hearing on Continued Management Concerns at the National Institutes of Health.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the NIH, Department of
Health and Human Services: Harold E. Varmus, M.D., Director; and Francis
Collins, M.D., Director, National Human Genome Research Institute.
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning continued hearings on H.R. 6,
Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998. Testimony was heard from Richard R.
Riley, Secretary of Education.
Hearings continue June 26th.
NATIONAL CAPITAL REVITALIZATION AND SELF-GOVERNMENT IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on the District of
Columbia approved for full Committee action the National Capital
Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1596, Bankruptcy
Judgeship Act of 1997; and H.R. 1953, to clarify State authority to tax
compensation paid to certain employees.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 1596. Testimony
was heard from David R. Thompson, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
and Chairman, Committee on the Administration of the Bankruptcy System,
Judicial Conference; Tina L. Brozman, Chief, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Southern
District of New York; Frank W. Koger, Chief, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Western
District of Missouri; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--BLM'S HARD ROCK MINING BONDING REGULATIONS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing on Bureau of Lane Management's hard rock mining bonding
regulations. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Interior: John Leshy, Solicitor; and David Alberswerth,
Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management;
and Jere Glover, Chief Counsel, Office of Advocacy, SBA.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 822, amended, to
facilitate a land exchange involving private land within the exterior
boundaries of Wenatchee National Forest in Chelan County, WA; H.R. 951, to
require the Secretary of the Interior to exchange certain lands located in
Hinsdale, Colorado; H.R. 960, amended, to validate certain conveyances in the
city of Tulare, Tulare County, California; H.R. 1110, Sudbury, Asssabet, and
Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; and H.R. 1198, to direct the Secretary of
the Interior to convey land to the City of Grants Pass, Oregon.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITIES--COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Rules: Ordered reported, by a record vote of 9 to 3, H. Res. 167,
providing special investigative authorities for the Committee on Government
Reform and Oversight.
COMPUTER SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on Computer
Security Enhancement Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Gary Bachula,
Acting Under Secretary, Technology, Technology Administration, Department of
Commerce; and public witnesses.
BUDGET SCORING RULES--REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development held a hearing to review the Budget scoring
rules as they relate to real estate transactions. Testimony was heard from
Jacob J. Lew, Deputy Director, OMB.
[Page: D643]
PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS--VETERANS' AFFAIRS' TREATMENT
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the
Veterans' Affairs' provision of treatment for Persian Gulf war veterans with
difficult to diagnose and ill-defined conditions. Testimony was heard from
Stephen P. Backhus, Director, Veterans' Affairs and Military Health Care
Issues, GAO; Maj. Charles C. Engel, Jr., M.D., USA, Chief, Gulf War Health
Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Department of the Army; Kenneth
Kizer, M.D., Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans Affairs;
representatives of veterans organizations; and a public witness.
1997/06/20
Daily Digest - Friday, June 20, 1997, pages D646 - D652
Committee Meetings
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPETITIVENESS ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered reported amended H.R. 10,
Financial Services Competitiveness Act of 1997.
BALANCED BUDGET ACT; REVENUE RECONCILIATION ACT
Committee on the Budget: Ordered reported the following: The Balanced Budget
Act of 1997; and the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1997.
CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE REFORM ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported H.R. 1965, Civil Asset Forfeiture
Reform Act.
ETHICS REFORM PROPOSALS
Task Force on Ethics Reform: Concluded hearings on Ethics Reform proposals.
Testimony was heard from Thomas Mann, Director, Governmental Studies Program,
W. Averell Harriman, Senior Fellow in American Governance, Brookings
Institution; Ann McBride, President and CEO, Common Cause; Gary Ruskin,
Director, Congressional Accountability Project; and David Mason, Senior Fellow
in Congressional Studies, Heritage Foundation.
1997/06/21
Daily Digest - Saturday, June 21, 1997, D653 - D654
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/06/23
Daily Digest - Monday, June 23, 1997, pages D665 - D660
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
1997/06/24
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 24, 1997, pages D661 - D670
Committee Meetings
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported H.R. 2016, making appropriations
for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure
for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998.
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative approved for full
Committee action the Legislative appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation approved for full
Committee action the Transportation appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE--DISASTER PRONE AREAS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and
Community Opportunity held a hearing on The Adequacy of Available Homeowners'
Insurance in Disaster Prone Areas--The Problem. Testimony was heard from
Daniel Sumner, General Counsel, Department of Insurance, State of Florida; and
public witnesses.
FINANCIAL SERVICES REFORM
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing on Financial D667Services Reform. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
[Page: D667]
EDUCATION AT A CROSSROADS
Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Education at a Crossroads, What Works, What's
Wasted in Federal Drug and Violence Prevention Programs. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Barton of Texas and Etheridge; Carotta Joyner, Director,
Education and Employment Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
OSHA'S REINVENTION PROJECT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing on the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration's reinvention project. Testimony was heard from Gregory
Watchman, Acting Assistant Secretary, OSHA, Department of Labor.
OVERSIGHT--INSPECTORS GENERAL--INVESTIGATIVE PRACTICES
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held an oversight hearing on
Investigative Practices of Inspectors General. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Hamilton and Goss; Jacquelyn Williams-Bridgers, Inspector
General, Department of State; Eleanor Hill, Inspector General, Department of
Defense and Chair, President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE);
Michael Bromwich, Inspector General, Department of Justice; Patrick McFarland,
Inspector General, OPM and Chair, Investigations Committee, PCIE; and Robert
M. Bryant, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative Division, FBI,
Department of Justice and Chair, Integrity Committee, PCIE.
GULF WAR SYNDROME-STATUS OF EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
held a hearing on Status of Efforts to Identify Gulf War Syndrome, with
emphasis on Recent GAO Findings. Testimony was heard from Donna Heivilin,
Director, Planning and Reporting, GAO.
Hearings continue June 26th.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; LIBERIAN ELECTION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa approved for full
Committee action the following: H. Con. Res. 99, expressing concern over
recent events in the Republic of Sierra Leone in the wake of the recent
military coup d'etat of that country's first democratically elected President;
and a resolution urging a restoration of peace in Congo-Brazzaville.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on The Liberian Election: A New Hope?
Testimony was heard from Howard Jeter, U.S. Special Envoy to Liberia,
Department of State; and public witnesses.
SECURITY AND FREEDOM THROUGH ENCRYPTION (SAFE) ACT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade approved for full Committee action amended H.R. 695, Security
and Freedom Through Encryption (SAFE) Act.
NORTHERN IRELAND--HUMAN RIGHTS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations
and Human Rights held a hearing on Human Rights in Northern Ireland. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 700, to
remove the restriction on the distribution of certain revenues from the
Mineral Springs parcel to certain members of the Agua Caliente Band of
Cahuilla Indians; H.R. 948, Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Act;
H.R. 976, Mississippi Sioux Tribes Judgment Fund Distribution Act of 1997; and
H.R. 1604, to provide for the division, use, and distribution of judgment
funds of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan pursuant to dockets
numbered 18-E, 58, 364, and 18-R before the Indian Claims Commission.
Testimony was heard from Representative Stupak; Ada E. Deer, Assistant
Secretary, Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Resident Exotic Plants and Pests threatening the health
of the National Forests. Testimony was heard from William Mattson, Chief
Insect Ecologist, N. Central Forest Experiment Station, Forest Service, USDA;
Barbara Burns, Forest Insect and Disease Specialist, Department of Forests,
Parks and Recreation, State of Vermont; and public witnesses.
UTAH WILDERNESS PROTECTION
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following measures: H.R. 1952, Utah Wilderness and School Trust
Lands Protection Act of 1997; and H.R. 1500, to designate certain Federal
lands in the State of Utah as wilderness. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Cannon and Cook; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. D668134, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to
provide a loan guarantee to the Olivenhain Water Storage Project and H.R.
1400, Tumalo Irrigation District Water Conservation Project Authorization Act.
Testimony was heard from Eluid Martinez, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation,
Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
[Page: D668]
BALANCED BUDGET ACT; TAXPAYER RELIEF ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted by a recorded vote of 9 to 4, a rule
providing for the consideration of H.R. 2015 ("The Balanced Budget Act") and
waives all points of order against its consideration. The rule provides three
hours of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget. The rules considers
the amendment printed in the Congressional Record and numbered 1, as adopted.
All points of order are waived against the provisions of the bill, as amended
by the rule. The rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without
instructions. Section 2 of the rule provides for the consideration of H.R.
2014 ("The Taxpayer Relief Act") and waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill and against its provisions, as amended by the rule.
The rule provides three hours of general debate equally divided and controlled
by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and
Means. The rule considers the amendment printed in the Congressional Record
and numbered 2, as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole. The
rule provides for consideration of the bill, as amended, as an original bill
for the purposes of further amendment. The rule provides for the consideration
of an amendment printed in the Congressional Record and numbered 1, only if
offered by Representative Rangel of New York or his designee, which shall be
debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the proponent and
opponent, and which shall not be subject to amendment or to a demand for a
division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All
points of order are waived against the amendment. Finally, the rule provides
one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Kasich, Shays, Smith of Michigan, Archer, Thomas, Roukema,
Fawell, Davis of Virginia, Castle, Barton of Texas, Spratt, Minge, Bentsen,
Pomeroy, Rangel, Levin, Cardin, McDermott, Becerra, Peterson of Minnesota,
Kennedy of Massachusetts, Hinchey, Dingell, Pallone, Brown of Ohio, Norton,
Nadler, Taylor of Mississippi, Maloney of New York, Conyers, Meek of Florida,
Visclosky, Eshoo, Furse, Thurman, Berry, Goode, Turner, Boyd, and John.
CIVILIAN AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT--ROLE OF R&D
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on The Role of
R&D in Improving Civilian Air Traffic Management. Testimony was heard from
Steven B. Zaidman, Director, Office of System Architecture and Investment
Analysis, FAA, Department of Transportation; Henry McDonald, Director, Ames
Research Center, NASA; and public witnesses.
FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued
hearings on the Future of Social Security for this Generation and the Next.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
BRIEFING--NATO ENLARGEMENT
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on NATO Enlargement. The Committee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.
1997/06/25
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 25, 1997, pages D672 - D682
Committee Meetings
U.S. AND ASIA--PROSPECTS OF LIVESTOCK, DAIRY, AND POULTRY TRADE
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a
hearing to review the current status and future prospects of livestock, dairy,
and poultry trade between the United States and Asia. Testimony was heard from
James V. Parker, Deputy Administrator, Commodity and Marketing Programs,
Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee
action the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and
Related Agencies appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs approved for full Committee action the Foreign
Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs appropriations for fiscal
year 1998,
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
approved for full Committee action the VA, HUD and Independent Agencies
appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
[Page: D679]
EIZENSTAT REPORT--U.S. AND ALLIED EFFORTS TO RESTORE ASSETS LOOTED BY NAZIS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on the Eizenstat
Report and related issues concerning U.S. and Allied efforts to restore gold
and other assets looted by Nazis in World War II. Testimony was heard from
Senator D'Amato; Stuart Eizenstat, Under Secretary, Economic, Business, and
Agriculture, Department of State; Neil Levin, Chairman, Commission on the
Recovery of Holocaust Victims' Assets, State of New York; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 629, Texas
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Consent Act; H.R. 1276, amended,
Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of
1997; and H.R. 2018, amended, to waive temporarily the Medicaid enrollment
composition rule for the Better Health Plan of Amherst, New York.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported amended the
following measures: H.R. 1853, Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied
Technology Act Amendments of 1997 Act, and H. Res. 139, expressing the sense
of the House of Representatives that the Department of Education, States, and
local education agencies should spend a greater percentage of Federal
education tax dollars in our children's classrooms.
COUNTERDRUG TECHNOLOGY COORDINATION
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held a hearing on
Effectiveness of Counterdrug Technology Coordination at the Office of National
Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Testimony was heard from Albert E. Brandenstein,
Chief Scientist., Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center, Office of National
Drug Control Policy; Ray Mintz, Director, Applied Technology Division, U.S.
Customs Service, Department of the Treasury; Lennard Wolfson, Director, Demand
Reduction Systems, DOD Drug Enforcement Policy and Support, Office of the
Secretary, Department of Defense; and David Cooper, Associate Director,
National Security and International Affairs Division, GAO.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; U.S. POLICY TOWARD LEBANON
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported amended H.R. 1432,
African Growth and Opportunity Act.
The Committee also favorably considered and adopted a motion urging the
Chairman to request that the following measures be considered on the
Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 88, congratulating the Government and the
people of the Republic of El Salvador on successfully completing free and
democratic elections on March 16, 1997; H. Con. Res. 81, amended, calling for
a United States initiative seeking a just and peaceful resolution of the
situation on Cyprus; H.R. 2035, amended, to authorize the transfer of naval
vessels to certain foreign countries; H. Con. Res. 99, expressing concern over
recent events in the Republic of Sierra Leone in the wake of the recent
military coup d'etat of that country's first democratically elected President;
H. Res. 175, expressing concern over the outbreak of violence in the Republic
of Congo and the resulting threat to scheduled elections and constitutional
government in that country; and H. Con. Res. 105, expressing the sense of the
Congress relating to the elections in Albania scheduled for June 29, 1997.
The Committee also held a hearing on United States Policy Toward Lebanon.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State:
David Welch, Acting Assistant Secretary, Near Eastern Affairs; and Kenneth
McKune, Deputy Coordinator, Regional Policy Affairs; and public witnesses.
CENTRAL AMERICA--REVIEW ISSUES
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
approved for full Committee action H. Con. Res. 88, congratulating the
Government and the people of the Republic of El Salvador on successfully
completing free and democratic elections on March 16, l997.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing to review issues in Central America.
Testimony was heard from John Hamilton, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Central
America and the Caribbean, Department of State; Mark Schneider, Assistant
Administrator, Bureau of Latin America and the Caribbean, AID, U.S
International Development Cooperation Agency; and public witnesses.
PROVIDE RIGHTS--VICTIM OF CRIMES
Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on proposals to provide rights to
Victims of Crime, including the following measures: H.J. Res. 71, proposing an
amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of
crime victims; and H.R. D6801322, Victims' Rights Constitutional Amendment
Implementation Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Representative Pryce of
Ohio; Janet Reno, The Attorney General; George Kazen, Chief Judge, U.S.
District Court, Southern District of Texas; William Terrell Hodges, Judge,
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, both on behalf of the
Judicial Conference of the United States; Joseph Weisberger, Chief Justice,
Supreme Court, State of Rhode Island, on behalf of the Conference of Chief
Justices; and public witnesses.
[Page: D680]
BANKRUPTCY AMENDMENTS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
approved for full Committee action as amended H.R. 764, Bankruptcy Amendments
of 1997.
CITIZENSHIP REFORM ACT; VOTER ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 7, Citizenship Reform Act of 1997; and
H.R. 1428, Voter Eligibility Verification Act. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Bilbray and Horn; the following officials of the Department of
Justice: Dawn Johnson, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal
Counsel; and David Ogden, Associate Deputy Attorney General; Sandy Crank,
Associate Commissioner, Policy and Planning, SSA; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following measures: S.J. Res. 29,
to direct the Secretary of the Interior to design and construct a permanent
addition to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.; H.R.
765, Shackleford Banks Wild Horses Protection Act; H.R. 822, amended, to
facilitate a land exchange involving private land within the exterior
boundaries of Wenatchee National Forest in Chelan County, Wa.; H.R. 901,
amended, American Land Sovereignty Protection Act; H.R. 951, to require the
Secretary of the Interior to exchange certain lands located in Hinsdale,
Colorado; H.R. 960, amended, to validate certain conveyances in the city of
Tulare, Tulare County, California; H.R. 1127, amended, National Monument
Fairness Act of 1997; H.R. 1198, amended, to direct the Secretary of the
Interior to convey land to the City of Grants Pass, Oregon; and H.R. 1658,
amended, Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act Amendments of 1997.
ADJOURNMENT RESOLUTION--INDEPENDENCE DAY DISTRICT WORK PERIOD
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule providing for the
consideration of a concurrent resolution providing for the adjournment of the
House and Senate for the Independence Day district work period. The rule
waives all points of order against the consideration of the resolution.
MEDIUM-SIZED COMMUNITIES--AIR SERVICE PROBLEMS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on market-based solutions to air service problems for medium-sized
communities. Testimony was heard from Representatives Quinn, LaFalce and
Slaughter; Patrick V. Murphy, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Aviation and
International Affairs, Department of Transportation; John H. Anderson, Jr.,
Director, Transportation Issues, Resources, Community and Economic Development
Division, GAO; and public witnesses.
1997/06/26
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 26, 1997, pages D683 - D692
Committee Meetings
DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry
approved for full Committee action H.R. 1789, to reauthorize the dairy
indemnity program.
Prior to this action, the Committee held a hearing on this legislation.
Testimony was heard from Bruce R. Weber, Associate Administrator, Farm Service
Agency, USDA; and a public witness.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Interior appropriations for
fiscal year 1998.
OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL MONEY PRODUCTION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held an oversight hearing on Federal Money
Production. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GAO:
Michael E. Motley, Associate Director, Government Business Operations; and
Theodore C. Barreaux, Counselor to the Comptroller General; the following
officials of the Department of the Treasury: Mary Ellen Withrow, Treasurer;
Phillip N. Diehl, Director, U.S. Mint; Larry Rolufs, Director, Bureau of
Engraving and Printing; and George Munoz, Assistant Secretary, Management.
HOMELESS HOUSING CONSOLIDATION AND FLEXIBILITY ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and
Community Opportunity held a hearing on H.R. 217, Homeless Housing
Consolidation and Flexibility Act. Testimony was heard from Jacquie Lawing,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban
D690Development; Jane Kenny, Commissioner, Department of Community Affairs,
State of New Jersey; and public witnesses.
[Page: D690]
NATIONAL SALVAGE MOTOR VEHICLE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on H.R. 1839, National Salvage Motor Vehicle
Consumer Protection Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Richard C. Morse,
Chief, Odometer Fraud Staff, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.
CHARTER SCHOOLS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families held a hearing on Charter Schools. Testimony was heard from
Gerald Tirozzi, Assistant Secretary, Elementary and Secondary Education,
Department of Education; and public witnesses.
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning continued hearings on H.R. 6,
Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology approved for full Committee action
amended H.R. 404, to amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services
Act of 1949 to authorize the transfer to State and local governments of
certain surplus property for use for law enforcement or public safety
purposes.
GULF WAR SYNDROME--STATUS OF EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
continued hearings on Status of Efforts to Identify Gulf War Syndrome, with
emphasis on Multiple Toxic Exposures. Testimony was heard from Representative
Metcalf; Thomas Garthwaite, Deputy Under Secretary, Health, Department of
Veterans Affairs; Bernard Rostker, Special Assistant, Gulf War Illness,
Department of Defense; and public witnesses.
U.S. ENTERPRISE FUNDS
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on United States
Enterprise Funds in Eastern Europe and the States of the Former Soviet Union.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State:
Ambassador Richard Morningstar, Special Advisor to the President and the
Secretary of State on Assistance to the Newly Independent States and
Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to the Newly Independent States; and James
Holmes, Coordinator, Eastern European Assistance, Bureau of European and
Canadian Affairs; and Tom Dine, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and
the Newly Independent States, AID, U.S. International Development Cooperation
Agency.
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.R. 1909, Civil Rights Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Senator
McConnell; Representatives Campbell, Norton, Roukema, Mink of Hawaii and
Fowler; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held a
hearing on the following: H.R. 371, Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of
1997; and a measure to provide for a change with respect to the requirements
for a Canadian border boat landing permit pursuant to section 235 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act. Testimony was heard from Representative Vento
and LaTourette; from the following officials of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service, Department of Justice: Louis D. Crocetti, Jr.,
Associate Commissioner, Examinations; and Donna Kaye Barnes, Chief Inspector;
and public witnesses.
ATLANTIC HERRING AND MACKEREL FISHERIES--MORATORIUM ON LARGE FISHING VESSELS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and
Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 1855, to impose a moratorium on large fishing
vessels in the Atlantic herring and mackerel fisheries. Testimony was heard
from Representatives LoBiondo, Delahunt and Tierney; Rolland Schmitten,
Assistant Administrator, Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA,
Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 2016, making appropriations for military construction, family
housing, and base realignment and closure for the Department of Defense for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998. The rule waives points of order
against provisions in the bill which do not comply with clause 2 of Rule XXI
(prohibiting unauthorized D691appropriations and legislation on general
appropriations bills), and clause 6 of Rule XXI (prohibiting transfers of
unobligated balances).
[Page: D691]
The rule provides for priority in recognition to those amendments that are
preprinted in the Congressional Record. The rule also provides that the
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may postpone recorded votes on any
amendment and that the chairman may reduce voting time on postponed questions
to 5 minutes, provided that the vote takes place immediately following another
recorded vote and that the voting time on the first series of questions be not
less than 15 minutes. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with
or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Packard and
Hefner.
DECISION-MAKING IN THE HOUSE--IMPACT OF NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
Committee on Rules: Subcommittee on Rules and Organization of the House held a
hearing on the impact of new information technologies on decision-making in
the House of Representatives. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OSHA'S CONTEMPLATED SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM STANDARDS
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on OSHA's Contemplated Safety and
Health Program Standards. Testimony was heard from Greg Watchman, Acting
Assistant Secretary, Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Labor; and
public witnesses.
YEAR 2000 REQUIREMENTS--EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE COMPUTER COMPLIANCE
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing on efforts to achieve computer compliance with Year 2000
requirements. Testimony was heard from Representative Horn; Joel C.
Willemssen, Director, Information Resources Management, Accounting and
Information Management Division, GAO; D. Mark Catlett, Assistant Secretary,
Management, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Tom Shope, Acting Director,
Division of Electronics and Computer Science, Office of Science and
Technology, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, FDA, Department of
Health and Human Services.
1997/06/27
Daily Digest - Friday, June 27, 1997, pages D693 - D698
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
1997/07/07
Daily Digest - Monday, July 7, 1997, pages D700 - D706
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/07/08
Daily Digest - Tuesday, July 8, 1997, pages D707 - D714
Committee Meetings
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the VA, HUD and Independent
Agencies appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in
executive session to begin markup of the Department of Defense appropriations
for fiscal year 1998.
Will continue tomorrow.
EDUCATION--PROGRESS OF TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on "Education at a Crossroads, What Works,
What's Wasted" in Teacher Training Programs. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Education: Robert Seabrooks, Deputy
Assistant Inspector General, Audit; and Daniel Kasprzyk, Program Director,
School and Staffing Survey, National Center for Education Statistics; and
public witnesses.
PERFORMANCE BASED ORGANIZATIONS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on "Performance Based
Organizations". Testimony was heard from John Koskinen, Deputy Director,
Management, OMB; J. Christopher, Mihm, Acting Associate Director, Federal
Management and Workforce Issues, General Government Division, GAO; Maj. Gen.
Richard E. Beale, Jr., USA (Ret.), Director, Defense Commissary Agency,
Department of Defense; Edward Kazenske, Deputy Assistant Commissioner,
Patents, Patent and Trademark, Department of Commerce; David Sanders, Deputy
Administrator, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; and public
witnesses.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on House Oversight: Met and considered pending committee business.
INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified open rule providing 1
hour of debate on H.R. 1775, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
1998. The rule makes in order the committee amendment in the nature of a
substitute now printed in the bill as an original bill for the purpose of
D712amendment and said substitute shall be considered by title and shall
considered as read. The rule waives points of order against the committee
amendment for failure to comply with clause 7 of rule XVI (germaneness) and
clauses 5(a) and 5(b) of rule XXI (prohibiting appropriations on an
authorization bill, and prohibiting the consideration of tax or tariff
measures which have not been reported by the Committee on Ways and Means,
respectively). The rule provides for consideration of only those amendments
that have been pre-printed in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was
heard from Chairman Goss and Representative Dicks.
[Page: D712]
QUINCY LIBRARY GROUP FOREST RECOVERY AND ECONOMIC STABILITY ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified closed rule providing 1
hour of debate on H.R. 858, Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery and Economic
Stability Act of 1997. The rule provides that in lieu of the Resources
Committee amendment, that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed
in the Congressional Record and numbered 1 shall be considered as an original
bill for the purposes of amendment, and provides that the amendment shall be
considered as read. The rule waives clause 7 of rule XVI (germaneness) and
5(a) of rule XXI (appropriating in a legislative bill) against the amendment
in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record. The rule
provides that the amendment offered by Representative Miller of California or
his designee shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 1 hour
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not
be subject to amendment. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit,
with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Young and
Representatives Herger and Miller of California.
1997/07/09
Daily Digest - Wednesday, July 9, 1997, pages D715 - D724
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and
Research held a hearing to review agricultural extension and education
programs. Testimony was heard from Bob Robinson, Administrator, Cooperative
State Research, Education and Extension Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
[Page: D720]
AGRICULTURAL, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES AND FOREIGN
OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the following appropriations for
fiscal year 1998: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies; and the Foreign Operations, Export
Financing and Related Programs.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in
executive session and approved for full Committee action the Department of
Defense appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Ordered reported amended H.R.
1370, to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
FEDERAL ROLE IN ELECTRONIC AUTHENTICATION
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on a Federal Role in Electronic
Authentication. Testimony was heard from Dan Greenwood, Deputy General
Counsel, Information Technology Division, State of Massachusetts; and public
witnesses.
ELECTRICITY: PUBLIC POWER
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on
Electricity: Public Power, TVA, BPA, and Competition. Testimony was heard from
Joe Dickey, Chief Operating Officer, TVA; John S. Robertson, Deputy
Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration, Department of Energy; and
public witnesses.
WORKER PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing on H.R. 1625, Worker
Paycheck Fairness Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OLDER AMERICANS ACT AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth, and Families held a hearing on the Authorization of the Older Americans
Act. Testimony was heard from William F. Benson, Acting Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration on Aging, Department of Health
and Human Services; and public witnesses.
INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY: COLOMBIA
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held a hearing on
International Drug Control Policy: Colombia. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of State: Myles Frechette, Ambassador to
Colombia; Jeffrey Davidow, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Inter-American
Affairs; Jane E. Becker, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; and Jim Thessin, Deputy Legal Advisor;
Robert Newberry, Principal Director, Drug Enforcement Affairs, Department of
Defense; Donnie Marshall, Chief of Operations, DEA, Department of Justice; and
Henry L. Hinton, Jr., Assistant Comptroller General, GAO.
FAST TRACK, NAFTA, MERCOSUR AND BEYOND
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade held a hearing on Fast Track, NAFTA, Mercosur and Beyond:
Does the Road Lead to a Future Free Trade Area of the Americas? Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution approved for full
Committee action H.R. 1909, Civil Rights Act of 1997.
INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR FY 1998
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 1, an open rule providing one
hour of general debate on H.R. 2107, making appropriations for the Department
of the Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1998,
equally divided and controlled by the Chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives section 306 of the
Budget Act (prohibiting matters within the jurisdiction of the Budget
Committee in a measure not reported by it) against consideration of the bill.
The rule also waives clause 2 (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations and
legislative provisions) and clause 6 (prohibiting reappropriations in an
appropriations bill) of Rule XXI against the bill except as follows: beginning
with " : Provided " on page 46, line 25, through "part 121" on page 47, line 6
(Forest Service, timber purchaser road construction credits); and page 76,
line 10, through line 13 (NEA). The rule makes in order those amendments
printed in the Rules Committee report which shall be considered as read, shall
be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided between a
proponent and opponent, and shall not be subject to amendment. All points of
order against the amendments designated in the D721Rules Committee report are
waived. The rule accords priority in recognition to those Members who have
pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record prior to their
consideration. The rule also allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole
to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce the voting
time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen
minute vote. The rule waives points of order against all amendments for
failure to comply with clause 2(e) of rule XXI (prohibiting non-emergency
designated amendments to be offered to an appropriations bill containing an
emergency designation). Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit,
with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Regula,
Forbes, Young of Alaska, Tauzin, Roukema, Dan Schaefer of Colorado, Houghton,
Morella, Ehlers, Horn, Foley, Weldon of Florida, Yates, Pelosi, Obey, Dingell,
Lewis of Georgia, Slaughter, Nadler, Harman, Stupak, Farr of California,
Gutierrez, and Jackson-Lee of Texas.
[Page: D721]
OCEAN AND COASTAL ISSUES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Ocean and Coastal Issues.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Forbes and Romero-Barcelo; the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Michael L. Davis, Deputy
Assistant Secretary (Civil Works), Department of the Army; and Rear Adm. Louis
M. Smith, USN, Director, Facilities and Engineering Command, Department of the
Navy; Robert H. Wayland, III, Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and
Watersheds, EPA; Jeffrey Benoit, Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal
Resources Management, NOAA, Department of Commerce; Alexander F. Treadwell,
Secretary, Department of State, State of New York; Jane K. Stahl, Assistant
Director, Office of Long Island Sound Programs, Department of Environmental
Protection, State of Connecticut; and public witnesses.
VETERANS MEASURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on the following bills: S. 923,
to deny veterans benefits to persons convicted of Federal capital offenses;
and H.R. 2040, to amend title 38, United States Code, to deny burial in a
federally funded cemetery to persons convicted of certain capital crimes.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Bachus, Skelton and Knollenberg;
Jerry W. Bowen, Director, National Cemetery System, Department of Veterans
Affairs; Johnny H. Killian, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division,
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; and a representative of
veterans organizations.
1997/07/10
Daily Digest - Thursday, July 10, 1997, pages D726 - D734
Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary approved for full Committee action the Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
COMBAT COUNTERFEITING
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on General Oversight
and Investigations held a hearing to review Treasury Department efforts to
combat counterfeiting and its compliance with the international counterfeiting
provisions of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.
Testimony was heard from John D. Hawke, Jr., Under Secretary, Domestic
Finance, Department of the Treasury; and JayEtta Z. Hecker, Associate
Director, International Relations and Trade Issues, GAO.
LITERACY: WHY CHILDREN CAN'T READ
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing on Literacy: Why
Children Can't Read. Testimony was heard from Reid Lyon, Acting Chief,
Learning Disabled, Cognitive Development Branch, National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development, Department of Health and Human Services; and
public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--NURSING HOMES HEALTH CARE
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources
continued oversight hearings on Fraud and Abuse in Nursing Home Services
Billed to Medicare and Medicaid, Part 2. Testimony was heard from Kathleen
Buto, Deputy Director, Center for Health Plans and Providers, Health Care
Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1663, to clarify the intent of the
Congress in Public Law 93-632 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to
continue to provide for the maintenance of 18 concrete dams and weirs that
were located in the Emigrant Wilderness at the time the wilderness area was
designated as wilderness in that Public Law; and H.R. 1944, Warner Canyon Ski
Hill Land Exchange Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from Lyle Laverty,
Director, Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness Resources, Forest Service, USDA;
and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL VS. STATE MANAGEMENT OF PARKS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held
an oversight hearing on Federal vs. State Management of Parks. Testimony was
heard from Kenneth B. Jones, Deputy Director, Park Stewardship, Department of
Parks and Recreation, State of California; and a public witness.
WILL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMPUTERS BE READY FOR THE YEAR 2000?
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology and the Subcommittee on
Government Management, Information and Technology of the Committee on
Government Reform and Oversight held a joint hearing on Will Federal
Government Computers Be Ready for the Year 2000? Testimony was heard from
Sally Katzen, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
OMB; Joel Willemssen, Director, Accounting and Information Management
Division, GAO; Alvin M. Pesachowitz, Vice Chair, Chief Information Officers
Council, Chief Information Officer, EPA; Katherine Adams, Chair, Interagency
Year 2000 Subcommittee of the Chief Information Officers Council, Assistant
Deputy Commissioner, Systems, SSA; and Joe Thompson, Chief Information
Officer, GSA.
CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT--IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Paperwork
Reduction held a hearing on the Congressional Review Act and its Impact on
Small Business. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; TWA 800--STATUS OF CRASH INVESTIGATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 2036, Aviation
Insurance Reauthorization Act of 1997; and H.R. 2005, amended, to amend title
49, United States Code, to clarify the application of the act popularly known
as the Death on the High Seas Act to aviation incidents.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the status of the
Investigation of the Crash of the TWA 800 and on H.R. 2005. Testimony was
heard from Representatives McDade, Ehrlich, Delahunt, Rothman, Roukema,
Maloney of Connecticut and Forbes; James E. Hall, Chairman, National
Transportation Safety Board; James K. Kallstrom, Assistant Director in Charge,
New York D733Office, FBI, Department of Justice; Guy S. Gardner, Associate
Administrator, Regulation and Certification, FAA, Department of
Transportation; and public witnesses.
[Page: D733]
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION AND APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION
REAUTHORIZATIONS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development held a hearing on the Reauthorization of
the Economic Development Administration and the Appalachian Regional
Commission. Testimony was heard from Jesse White, Cochairman, Appalachian
Regional Commission; Cecil H. Underwood, Governor, State of West Virginia; and
Phillip A. Singerman, Assistant Secretary, Economic Development, Economic
Development Administration, Department of Commerce.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS--MEDICAL PROGRAMS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to
examine the Department of Veterans Affairs medical programs, to include
consideration of pending proposals. Testimony was heard from Bernice
Steinhardt, Director, Health Services Quality and Public Health Issues, GAO;
and the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: John Ogden,
Chief Consultant, Pharmacy Benefits Management Strategic Health Group; and
Thomas Garthwaite, M.D., Deputy Under Secretary, Health.
FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued
hearings on The Future of Social Security for this Generation and the Next.
Testimony was heard from Senator Gregg; Representatives Stenholm, Kolbe,
DeFazio, Nadler, Sanders, Ehlers, Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Deutsch,
Pomeroy, Smith of Michigan, Burton of Indiana, Miller of Florida, Filner,
Petri, Graham, Neumann, Sanford and Kucinich; and public witnesses.
1997/07/11
Daily Digest - Friday, July 11, 1997, pages D736 - D746
Committee Meetings
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS; BUDGET ALLOCATION
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Transportation
appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
The Committee also approved a revised Section 602(b) budget allocation report
for fiscal year 1998.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
approved for full Committee action the Energy and Water Development
appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
INTERNET TAX FREEDOM ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection held a hearing on H.R. 1054, Internet Tax Freedom Act. Testimony
was heard from Senator Wyden; and public witnesses.
1997/07/14
Daily Digest - Monday, July 14, 1997, pages D748 - D752
Committee Meetings
PROTECTING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AFTER BOERNE v. FLORES
Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on Protecting Religious Freedom
after Boerne v. Flores. Testimony was heard from Jeff Sutton, Solicitor, State
of Ohio; and public witnesses.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted a rule, by voice vote, providing 1 hour of debate
on H.R. 2158, making appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs and
Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent agencies,
commissions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal year ending September
30, 1998. Points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to
comply with clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI (relating to the three day availability
of the report); clause 7 of rule XXI (relating to the three day availability
of printed hearings on appropriations bills); or Section 306 of the Budget Act
(relating to the prohibition on including matters within the jurisdiction of
the Budget Committee in a measure not reported by it).
The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to
comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations and
legislative provisions in an appropriation bill) and clause 6 of rule XXI
(prohibiting reappropriations in an appropriations bill), except as specified
in the rule.
The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the
report of the Committee on Rules which may only be offered by a Member
designated in the report and only at the appropriate point in the reading of
the bill, shall be considered as read, and shall not be subject to further
amendment or a demand for a division of the question. The rule permits the
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to accord priority in recognition to
those Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional
Record prior to their consideration. The rule allows the Chairman to postpone
recorded votes and reduce to five minutes the voting time on any postponed
question, provided that the voting time on the first in any series of
questions is not less than 15 minutes. Finally, the rule provides D750one
motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Lewis of California and Stokes.
1997/07/15
Daily Digest - Tuesday, July 15, 1997, pages D754 - D762
Committee Meetings
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing on Review of Wildfire Management in
the United States. Testimony was heard from Joan Comanor, Deputy Chief, State
and Private Forestry, Forest Service, USDA; Richard A. Wilson, Forester,
Department of Forestry, State of California; James B. Hull, Forester, Forest
Service, State of Texas; James Johnson, Forester, Department of Conservation,
State of Missouri; and public witnesses.
LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services
approved for full Committee action the Labor, Health and Human Services, and
Education appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AGREEMENT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on the
Economic and Environmental Impact of the Proposed International Global Climate
Change Agreement. Testimony was heard from Timothy E. Wirth, Under Secretary,
Global Affairs, Department of State; and Janet Yellen, Chair, Council of
Economic Advisors.
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning continued hearings on H.R. 6,
Higher Education Amendments of 1997, with emphasis on the Education of the
Deaf Act and Title V of the Higher Education Act. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Education: Judith Heumann, Assistant
Secretary; I. King Jordan, President, Gallaudet University; and Therese Knecht
Dozier, Special Advisor on Teaching; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue July 17.
IMPACT OF RADIO ON AFRICAN DEMOCRACY
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa and the
Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights held a joint hearing
on Impact of Radio on African Democracy. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the International Broadcasting Bureau, U.S. Information
Agency: Kevin Klose, Director; and Evelyn Lieberman, Director, Voice of
America; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; OVERSIGHT--INSTITUTIONAL HEARING PROGRAM
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims approved
for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1109, to amend the
Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to eliminate the
special transition rule for issuance of a certificate of citizenship for
certain children born outside the United States; H.R. 1348, Expanded War
Crimes Act of 1997; and H.R. 2027, to provide for the revision of the
requirements for a Canadian border boat landing permit pursuant to section 235
of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and to require the Attorney General to
report to the Congress on the impact of such revision.
The Subcommittee approved a motion to request a report on a private
immigration bill.
The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on the Institutional Hearing
Program. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Administration of Justices Issues Division, GAO: Norman J. Rabkin, Director;
Evi Rezmovic, Assistant Director; Jay Jennings and Fred Berry, both Senior
Evaluators; the following officials of the Department of Justice: Paul Virtue,
Executive Associate Commissioner, Programs and Lydia St. John-Mellado, IHP
Coordinator, both with the Immigration and Naturalization Service; Michael J.
Creppy, Chief Immigration Judge and Michael C. McGoings, Assistant Chief
Immigration Judge, both with the Executive Office for Immigration Review; John
L. Clark, Assistant Director, Community Corrections and Detention and James
Zangs, Administrator, Detention Services Branch, both with the Bureau of
Prisons; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSAL REGARDING AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS
INITIATIVE
Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on the Administration's
Proposal regarding the American Heritage Rivers Initiative. Testimony was
heard from Kathleen A. McGinty, Chair, Council on Environmental Quality; Bruce
Babbit, Secretary of the Interior; and Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT
FOR FY 1998.
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a modified open rule on H.R.
2159, making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and
related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, D7601998, providing
one hour of general debate equally divided between the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives points of
order against consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 7 of
Rule XXI (relating to the 3-day availability of published hearings) or clause
2(1)(6) of Rule XI (relating to the 3-day availability of the report). The
rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to
comply with clause 2 of Rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations and
legislating on an appropriations bill), and clause 6 of Rule XXI (prohibiting
certain transfers of funds), except as specified in the resolution. The rule
provides for consideration of the amendments printed in the report of the
Committee on Rules, to be offered only by a Member designated in the report
and only at the appropriate point in the reading of the bill, 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, shall not be
subject to amendment except as specified in the report, and shall not be
subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the
Committee of the Whole and waives points of order against the amendments. The
rule provides that no other amendment shall be in order unless that amendment
has been pre-printed in the Congressional Record. The rule grants the Chairman
of the Committee of the Whole the authority to postpone votes and reduce
voting time to 5 minutes provided that the first vote in a series is not less
than 15 minutes. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or
without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Callahan,
Gilman, Hyde, Smith of New Jersey, Saxton, Cox of California, Pelosi, and
McGovern.
[Page: D760]
MEETING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH FEDERAL TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFER
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on Meeting the
Needs of People with Disabilities Through Federal Technology Transfer.
Testimony was from Katherine Seelman, Director, National Institute of
Rehabilitation and Research, Department of Education; C. Dan Brand, Chairman,
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer, Associate Director,
Technology Advancement, FDA/National Center for Toxicological Research,
Department of Health and Human Services; Bruce Webbon, Chief, Commercial
Technology, Ames Research Center, NASA; and public witnesses.
DOES EX-IM HELP SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTERS?
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance, and Exports held a
hearing on Does Ex-Im Help Small Business Exporters? Testimony was heard from
James A. Harmon, President and Chairman, Export-Import Bank; and public
witnesses.
MFN TREATMENT--PRODUCTS OF MONGOLIA AND LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade approved for full Committee
action the following bills: H.R. 2133, to authorize the extension of
nondiscriminatory treatment--most-favored-nation treatment--to the products of
Mongolia; and H.R. 2132, to extend nondiscriminatory
treatment--most-favored-nation treatment--to the products of the Lao People's
Democratic Republic.
1997/07/16
Daily Digest - Wednesday, July 16, 1997, pages D763 - D772
Committee Meetings
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia held a
hearing on the Fiscal Year 1998 D.C. Budget. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the District of Columbia: Marion Barry, Mayor; and
Linda Cropp, Acting Chairman, Council; and Andrew F. Brimmer, Chairman,
Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority.
GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERPRISES
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities and Government Sponsored Enterprises and the Subcommittee on
Government Management, Information and Technology of the Committee on
Government Reform and Oversight held a joint oversight hearing on Government
Sponsored Enterprises. Testimony was heard from Jim Bothwell, Chief Economist,
GAO; Thomas Woodward, Economist, Congressional Research Service, Library of
Congress; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL SALVAGE MOTOR VEHICLE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer
Protection approved for full Committee action amended H.R. 1839, National
Salvage Motor Vehicle Consumer Protection Act of 1997.
OLDER AMERICANS ACT AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Youth and Families continued hearings on the Authorization of the Older
Americans Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ERGONOMICS: A QUESTION OF FEASIBILITY
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Ergonomics: A Question of Feasibility.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the Democratic
Republic of Congo: Problems and Prospects. Testimony was heard from Thomas
Pickering, Under Secretary, Political Affairs, Department of State; J. Brian
Atwood, Administrator, AID, U.S. D769International Development Cooperation
Agency; and public witnesses.
[Page: D769]
CAMBODIA--BREAKDOWN OF DEMOCRACY
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on Familiar Ground: The Breakdown of Democracy in Cambodia and
Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy. Testimony was heard from Aurelia
Brazeal, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs,
Department of State; and public witnesses.
JOBS AND EXPORTS RENEWAL ACT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade approved for full Committee amended H.R. 2064, Jobs and
Exports Renewal Act of 1997.
ANTI-DRUG EFFORT IN THE AMERICAS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
held a hearing on the Anti-Drug Effort in the Americas: A Mid-Term Report.
Testimony was heard from Representative Hastert; Jane Becker, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
Affairs, Department of State; Rear Adm. Walter Doran, USN, Deputy Commander
In-Chief, U.S. Southern Command, Department of Defense; and James Milford,
Deputy Administrator, DEA, Department of Justice.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 764,
Bankruptcy Amendments of 1997; H.R. 1596, Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 1997;
and H.R. 1953, to clarify State authority to tax compensation paid to certain
employees.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime approved for full Committee
action the following: H.R. 424, amended, to provide for increased mandatory
minimum sentences for criminals possessing firearms; and the Witness
Protection and Interstate Relocation Act of 1997.
THREATS POSED BY ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE TO U.S. MILITARY SYSTEMS
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Research and
Development held a hearing on threats posed by electromagnetic pulse to U.S.
Military systems and civilian infrastructure. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: George W. Ullrich, Deputy
Director, Defense Special Weapons Agency; and Gilbert I. Klinger, Acting
Deputy Under Secretary (Space); Gen. Robert T. Marsh, USAF (Ret.), Chairman,
President's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection; and Lowell Wood,
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory; and a public witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 700,
amended, to remove the restriction on the distribution of certain revenues
from the Mineral Springs parcel to certain members of the Agua Caliente Band
of Cahuilla Indians; H.R. 799, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to make
a minor adjustment in the exterior boundary of the Hells Canyon Wilderness in
the States of Oregon and Idaho to exclude an established Forest Service road
inadvertently included in the wilderness; H.R. 838, to require adoption of a
management plan for the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area that allows
appropriate use of motorized and nonmotorized river craft in the recreation
area; H.R. 948, Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Act; H.R. 976,
amended, Mississippi Sioux Tribes Judgment Fund Distribution Act of 1997; H.R.
1460, amended, to allow for election of the Delegate from Guam by other than
separate ballot; H.R. 1604, amended, to provide for the division, use, and
distribution of judgment funds of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan
pursuant to dockets numbered 18-E, 58, 364, and 18-R before the Indian Claims
Commission; H.R. 1663, amended, to clarify the intent of the Congress in
Public Law 93-632 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to continue to
provide for the maintenance of 18 concrete dams and weirs that were located in
the Emigrant Wilderness at the time the wilderness area was designated as
wilderness in that Public Law; H.R. 1944, Warner Canyon Ski Hill Land Exchange
Act of 1997; and H.R. 1855, amended, to establish a moratorium on large
fishing vessels in Atlantic herring and mackerel fisheries.
The Committee also approved a resolution authorizing the Chairman to issue a
subpoena concerning the matter of the committee review of hardrock bonding
mining regulations.
CARL D. PERKINS VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 1853, Carl D. Perkins Vocational-Technical Education Act
Amendments of 1997. The rule waives clause 2(I)(6) of rule XI (relating to the
3-day availability of the report) against consideration of the bill. The rule
makes in order the Committee on Education and the Workforce amendment in the
nature of a substitute as an original bill for purpose of amendment, shall
D770be open to amendment at any point, and each section shall be considered as
read. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to
Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record.
Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Goodling; and Representatives
Morella, Clay, Martinez and Mink of Hawaii.
[Page: D770]
CREDIT SUBSIDY RATES
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on credit subsidy rates for the
Section 7(a) general business loan program and the Section 504 Certified
Development Company program. Testimony was heard from Edward DeSeve, Acting
Deputy Director, OMB; Aida Alvarez, Administrator, SBA; Judy England-Joseph,
Director, Housing and Community Development Issues, GAO; and a public witness.
COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation approved for full Committee action the Coast Guard
Authorization Act of 1997.
VETERAN'S LEGISLATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Benefits held a hearing on
pending proposals in the areas of education, training and employment.
Testimony was heard from former Representative G.V. Montgomery of Mississippi;
Al Borrego, Acting Assistant Secretary, Veterans Employment and Training,
Department of Labor; Celia Dollarhide, Director, Education Service, Department
of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of various veterans organizations.
1997/07/17
Daily Digest - Thursday, July 17, 1997, pages D774 - D786
Committee Meetings
USDA'S CIVIL RIGHTS ACTION TEAM REPORT
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review the USDA's Civil Rights
Action Team Report. Testimony was heard from Representatives Waters and
Conyers; and Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the following appropriations for
fiscal year 1998: Energy and Water Development; and Legislative Branch.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia
continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress
and public witnesses.
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPETITIVENESS ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials held a
hearing on H.R. 10, Financial Services Competitiveness Act of 1997. Testimony
was heard from Arthur Levitt, Jr., Chairman, SEC; Alan Greenspan, Chairman,
Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; the following officials of the
Department of the Treasury: John D. Hawke, Under Secretary, Domestic Finance;
Eugene A. Ludwig, Comptroller and Nicolas Retsinas, Director, Office of Thrift
Supervision; William J. Baer, Director, Bureau of Competition, FTC; Andrew C.
Hove, Jr., Chairman, FDIC; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue July 25th.
HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education,Training and Life-Long Learning continued hearings on H.R. 6, Higher
Education Amendments of 1997, with emphasis on Campus Crime and Regulatory
Reform. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
Hearings continue July 22.
NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice continued hearings on
National Drug Control Policy: Drug Interdiction Efforts in Florida and the
Caribbean. Testimony was heard from Speaker Gingrich; the following officials
of the U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury: Samuel Banks, Deputy
Commissioner; Peter Girard, Group Supervisor for Cargo Theft Miami Seaport,
Office of Investigations; and Mike Sinclair, Chief of Miami Seaport Cargo,
Inspection Team; James Milford, Deputy Administrator, DEA, Department of
Justice; Rear Adm. Norman Saunders, USCG, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard
District, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation; James H. Wallwork,
Commissioner, Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor; and public witnesses.
INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OVERSIGHT--STATE DEPARTMENT AND AID
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Inspector General's
Oversight of the Department of State and Agency for International Development.
Testimony was heard from Jacquelyn L. Williams-Bridgers, Inspector General,
Department of State; Jeffrey Rush, Inspector General, AID, U.S. International
Development Cooperation Agency; and a public witness.
INTERNET TAX FREEDOM ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on H.R. 1054, Internet Tax Freedom Act. Testimony was heard
from Senator Wyden; Representative Cox of California; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Testimony was heard from
Cornelia Blanchette, Associate Director, Employment and Education Issues, GAO;
the following officials of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights: Mary Frances
Berry, Chairperson; and Carl Anderson, Commissioner; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--FAIRNESS IN MUSIC LICENSING
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
held an oversight hearing D781on Fairness in Music Licensing. Testimony was
heard from Robert Stoll, Administrator, Office of Legislative Affairs, Patent
and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce; Marybeth Peters, Register of
Copyrights, Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
[Page: D781]
NATO EXPANSION
Committee on National Security: Held a hearing on NATO expansion. Testimony
was heard from Walter Slocombe, Under Secretary, Policy, Department of
Defense; John Kornblum, Assistant Secretary, European and Canadian Affairs,
Department of State; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife &
Oceans held an oversight hearing to review the final outcome of the Tenth
Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Testimony was
heard from Donald J. Barry, Acting Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and
Parks, Department of the Interior.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing on Compliance by certain Departments with the Government Performance
and Results Act. Testimony was heard from Susan D. Kladiva, Acting Associate
Director, Energy Resources, and Science Issues, GAO; the following officials
of the Department of the Interior: Eluid L. Martinez, Commissioner, Bureau of
Reclamation; and Gordon P. Eaton, Director, U.S. Geological Survey; and Robert
Sanmartin, Executive Director, Energy and Resources Board, Department of
Energy.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 2169, making appropriations for the Department of
Transportation and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30,
1998. The rule waives clause 2(I)(6) of rule XI (relating to the 3-day
availability of the report), clause 7 of rule XXI (relating to the 3-day
availability of printed hearings), and section 401(a) (prohibiting
consideration of legislation containing contract authority not previously
subject to appropriation) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 against
consideration of the bill.
The rule waives clause 6 of rule XXI (prohibiting reappropriations in an
appropriations bill) against provisions in the bill and clause 2 of rule XXI
(prohibiting unauthorized and legislative provisions in an appropriations
bill) against provisions in the bill except as otherwise specified in the
rule.
The rule provides that the amendment printed in section 2 of the resolution
shall be considered as adopted. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord
priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in
the Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce to
five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute
vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Wolf, Shuster, Sabo and
Oberstar.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION AND APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION
REAUTHORIZATIONS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public
Buildings and Economic Development concluded hearings on the Reauthorization
of the Economic Development Administration and the Appalachian Regional
Commission. Testimony was heard from Representatives Kanjorski and McGovern;
and public witnesses.
AGGRESSIVE DRIVING
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation held a hearing on Road Rage: Causes and Dangers of Aggressive
Driving. Testimony was heard from Ricardo Martinez, M.D., Administrator,
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation;
and public witnesses.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT WITHIN VA
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
continued hearings on sexual harassment issues involving senior career
managers within the Department of Veterans Affairs and H.R. 1703, the
Department of Veterans Affairs Employment Discrimination Prevention Act.
Testimony was heard from Senator Faircloth and the following officials of the
Department of Veterans Affairs: Hershel W. Gober, Acting Secretary; and
William T. Merriman, Deputy Inspector General.
HCFA'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AUDIT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the
Inspector General's Audit of Health Care Financing Administration's Financial
Statements. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Health and D782Human Services: June Gibbs Brown, Inspector General; and
Bruce Vladeck, Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
1997/07/21
Daily Digest - Monday, July 21, 1997, pages D788 - D792
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
1997/07/22
Daily Digest - Tuesday, July 22, 1997, pages D793 - D802
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH--REAUTHORIZATION PROPOSALS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and
Research held a hearing on reauthorization proposals in agricultural research.
Testimony was heard from Bob Robinson, Administrator, Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
DEFENSE; LABOR, HHS, AND EDUCATION; AND COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND
JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the following appropriations for
fiscal year 1998: Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education;
and Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and
General Government began markup of the Treasury, Postal Service, and General
Government appropriations for fiscal year 1998.
CONDUCT OF MONETARY POLICY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy held a hearing on the Conduct of Monetary
Policy. Testimony was heard from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors,
Federal Reserve System.
HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Postsecondary
Education, Training and Life-Long Learning continued hearings on H.R. 6,
Higher Education Amendments of 1998. Testimony was heard from David
Longanecker, Assistant Secretary, Department of Education; and public
witnesses.
SECURITY AND FREEDOM THROUGH ENCRYPTION (SAFE) ACT
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported amended H.R. 695,
Security and Freedom Through Encryption (SAFE) Act.
The Committee also approved a motion to authorize the Chairman to make motions
on the House Floor under Rule XX, relative to H.R. 1757, Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Years l998 and 1999, and European Security Act of
1997.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT--RESTORING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.J. Res. 78, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States
restoring religious freedom. Testimony was heard from Representatives Istook,
Edwards, Campbell, Capps and Bishop; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on the
following: H.R. 218, Community Protection Act of 1997; H.R. 339, to amend
title 18, United States Code, to provide a national standard in accordance
with which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed firearms in the
State, and to exempt qualified current and former law enforcement officers
from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns; and the Law
Enforcement and Community Protection Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a
hearing on the operation and maintenance financial management. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the GAO: Jack L. Brock, Director,
Defense Information and Financial Management Systems; and Sharon Cekala,
Associate Director, Military Operations and Capabilities; and the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Alice C. Maroni, Principal Deputy
Under Secretary (Comptroller); Helen T. McCoy, Assistant Secretary, Army
(Financial Management and Comptroller); D. P. Christie, Assistant Secretary,
Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller); and Robert F. Hale, Assistant
Secretary, Air Force (Financial Management and Comptroller).
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1309, to provide for an exchange of lands
with the city of Greeley, CO, and the Water Supply and Storage Co. to
eliminate private inholdings in wilderness areas; and H.R. 1843, Local Free
Access Act. Testimony was heard from Senator Allard; Robert C. Joslin, Deputy
Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; Douglass P. Teschner,
member, House of Representatives, State of New Hampshire; LaVere Nelson,
Mayor, Greeley, Colorado; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1635, to establish within the United
States National Park Service the National Underground Railroad Network to
Freedom Program; H.R. 755, to amend the Internal Revenue D799Code of 1986 to
allow individuals to designate any portion of their income tax overpayments,
and to make other contributions for the benefit of units of the National Park
System; H.R. 1718, to provide for the conveyance of certain lands in Wyoming
to the County of Park, WY; and H.R. 708, to require the Secretary of the
Interior to conduct a study concerning grazing use of certain land within and
adjacent to Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming and to extend temporarily
certain grazing privileges. Testimony was heard from Representatives Stokes,
Portman, Duncan and Cubin; the following officials of the Department of the
Interior: Denis P. Galvin, Acting Deputy Director, National Park Service; and
Eluid L. Martinez, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation; and public witnesses.
[Page: D799]
AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF FY 1997
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified closed rule on H.R.
2160, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1998. The rule waives clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting
unauthorized and legislative provisions in an appropriations bill) and clause
6 of rule XXI (prohibiting reappropriations in an appropriations bill) against
provisions in the bill except as otherwise specified in the rule. The rule
provides that no further amendments shall be in order except: those amendments
printed before July 22, 1997 in the Congressional Record; the amendments
printed in the Congressional Record and numbered 21, 22, and 23; and the
amendment by Representative Obey pending when the Committee of the Whole rose
on July 22, 1997. The rule provides that each amendment made in order shall be
considered as read and shall be debatable for 10 minutes (except as otherwise
specified in section 2 of the rule) equally divided and controlled by the
proponent and an opponent. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of
the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce to
five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute
vote. The rule also provides that after a motion that the Committee rise has
been rejected on a day, another such motion on that day may be entertained
only if offered by the Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations or the
Majority Leader or their designee. The rule provides that after a motion to
strike out the enacting words of the bill has been rejected, the Chairman of
the Committee of the Whole may not entertain another such motion during
further consideration of the bill. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions.
BUDGET ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1997
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on H.R. 2003, to
reform the budget process and enforce the bipartisan balanced budget agreement
of 1997, providing one hour of debate in the House equally divided between
Representative Barton of Texas and an opponent. The rule also provides one
motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Representatives Nussle, Neumann,
Bunning, Barton of Texas, Castle, Wamp, Minge, Tanner, Stenholm, Evans, Boyd,
and Tauscher.
HUMAN CLONING RESEARCH--FEDERAL FUNDING PROHIBITION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on the
Prohibition of Federal Funding for Human Cloning Research. Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; PROSPECTUSES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public Grounds
and Economic Development approved for full Committee action the following:
H.R. 29, to designate the Federal building located at 290 Broadway in New
York, NY, as the "Ronald H. Brown Federal Building"; H.R. 81, to designate the
U.S. courthouse located at 401 South Michigan Street in South Bend, IN, as the
"Robert K. Rodibaugh United States Bankruptcy Courthouse"; H.R. 548, to
designate the U.S. courthouse located at 500 Pearl Street in New York City,
NY, as the "Ted Weiss United States Courthouse"; H.R. 595, to designate the
Federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 475 Mulberry Street in Macon,
GA, as the "William Augustus Bootle Federal Building and United States
Courthouse"; H.R. 613, amended, to designate the Federal building located at
100 Alabama Street NW, in Atlanta, GA, as the "Sam Nunn Federal Center"; H.R.
643, to designate the U.S. courthouse to be constructed at the corner of
Superior and Huron Roads, in Cleveland, OH, as the "Carl B. Stokes United
States Courthouse"; H.R. 824, to redesignate the Federal building located at
717 Madison Place, NW., in the District of Columbia, as the "Howard T. Markey
National Courts Building"; H.R. 892, amended, to redesignate the Federal
building located at 223 Sharkey Street in Clarksdale, MS, as the "Aaron Henry
United States Post Office"; H.R. 962, to redesignate a Federal building in
Suitland, MD, as the "W. Edwards Deming Federal Building"; H.R. 994, to
designate the U.S. border station located in Pharr, TX, as the "Kika de la
Garza United States Border Station"; H.R. 1479, amended, to designate the
Federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 300 Northeast D800First Avenue
in Miami, FL, as the "David W. Dyer Federal Courthouse"; H.R. 1484, amended,
to redesignate the Dublin Federal courthouse building located in Dublin, GA,
as the "J. Roy Rowland Federal Courthouse"; H.R. 1502, to designate the U.S.
courthouse located at 301 West Main Street in Benton, IL, as the "James L.
Foreman United States Courthouse"; H.R. 1851, to designate the U.S. courthouse
located at 200 South Washington Street in Alexandria, VA, as the "Martin V.B.
Bostetter, Jr., U.S. Courthouse"; H. Con. Res. 98, authorizing the use of the
Capitol grounds for the Safe Kids Buckle Up Car Seat Safety Check; 5
Courthouse Design prospectuses; 2 amending Committee Resolutions, 3
Miscellaneous Construction Prospectuses and 2 11(b) Resolutions.
[Page: D800]
FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on Free
Trade Area of the Americas. Testimony was heard from Representatives Kolbe,
Campbell and Farr; Jeffrey Davidow, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of
Inter-American Affairs, Department of State; Jeffrey M. Lang, Deputy U.S.
Trade Representative; JayEtta Z. Hecker, Associate Director, International
Relations and Trade Issues, National Security and International Affairs
Division, GAO; and public witnesses.
INFORMATION OPERATIONS BRIEFING
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on information operations. The Committee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.
1997/07/23
Daily Digest - Wednesday, July 23, 1997, D804 - D812
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURAL TRADE OPTIONS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Crops
held a hearing on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's proposal to lift
the prohibition on agricultural trade options. Testimony was heard from
Brooksley Born, Chairperson, Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and public
witnesses.
CONDUCT OF MONETARY POLICY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on the Conduct of
Monetary Policy. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Federal Reserve System: Alice M. Rivlin, Vice Chairman and Laurence H. Meyer,
both members, Board of Governors; and William J. McDonough, President, Federal
Reserve Bank of New York; and public witnesses.
SEC AUTHORIZATION ACT; NATIONAL SALVAGE MOTOR VEHICLE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 1262,
Securities and Exchange Commission Authorization Act of 1997; and H.R. 1839,
amended, National Salvage Motor Vehicle Consumer Protection Act of 1997.
Committee recessed subject to call.
OSHA'S REINVENTION PROJECT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing to examine the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration's reinvention project. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
IRAN LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT--ONE YEAR LATER
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Iran Libya Sanctions
Act--One Year Later. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of State: Alan Larsen, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Economic and
Business Affairs; and David Welch, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near
East Affairs; and public witnesses.
MICROCREDIT AND MICROENTERPRISE: THE ROAD TO SELF-RELIANCE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade held a hearing on Microcredit and Microenterprise: The Road
to Self-Reliance. Testimony was heard from Representatives Houghton and Hall
of Ohio; Mark L. Schneider, Assistant Administrator, Latin America, AID, U.S.
International Development Cooperation Agency; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
1109, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of
1994 to eliminate the special transition rule for issuance of a certificate of
citizenship for certain children born outside the United States; H.R. 1348,
Expanded War Crimes Act of 1997; H.R. 2027, to D809provide for the revision of
the requirements for a Canadian border boat landing permit pursuant to section
235 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and to require the Attorney
General to report to the Congress on the impact of such revision; H.R. 2181,
Witness Protection and Interstate Relocation Act of 1997; and two private
bills.
[Page: D809]
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 2203, making appropriations for energy and water development
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998. The rule waives clause 2
(prohibiting unauthorized appropriations and legislative provisions in an
appropriations bill) and clause 6 (prohibiting reappropriations in an
appropriations bill) of rule XXI against the bill. The rule permits the Chair
to accord priority in recognition to Members who have preprinted their
amendment in the Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chair to postpone
recorded votes and reduce to five minutes the minimum time for electronic
voting on any postponed votes, provided voting time on the first in any series
of questions shall be not less than 15 minutes. Finally, the rule provides one
motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Representatives McDade, Fazio |
