109th Congress (2005 - 2006)

January 4 - December 22, 2005

House Committee Meetings by Date
Compiled from the Congressional Record's Daily Digests via Thomas at thomas.loc.gov

2005/01/04
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 4, 2005; pages D1 - D10

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2005/01/06
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 6, 2005; pages D12 - D16

Committee Meetings

No Committee meetings were held.



2005/01/20
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 20, 2005; pages D18 - D22

Committee Meetings

No Committee meetings were held.



2005/01/24
Daily Digest - Monday, January 24, 2005; pages D23 - D26

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2005/01/25
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 25, 2005; pages D27 - D30

Committee Meetings

CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing one
hour of general debate on H.R. 54, Congressional Gold Medal Enhancement Act,
in the House equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. The rule provides that
the bill shall be considered as read for amendment. The rule makes in order
only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying this
resolution. The rule provides that the amendments made in order may be offered
only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member
designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for
the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the
proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be
subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the
Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points or order against the
amendments printed in the report. The rule provides one motion to recommit
with or without instructions. Section 2 of the rule provides that
notwithstanding clause 11(a)(1) of rule XI, during the One Hundred Ninth
Congress the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence shall be composed of
not more than 19 members, of whom not more than 11 may be from the same party.
Testimony was heard from Chairman Oxley.

                                    [Page: D29]

Prior to this action the Committee met for organizational purposes.



2005/01/26
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 26, 2005; pages D32 - D37

Committee Meetings

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on Armed Services: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

COMBATING SPYWARE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing on Combating Spyware: H.R.
29, Spy Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

BRIEFING--U.S. TSUNAMI RELIEF

Committee on International Relations: Held a briefing on The Tsunami Tragedy:
How the U.S. is Responding and Providing Relief. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Leach and Blumenauer; the following officials of the
Department of State: Andrew S. Natsios, Administrator, AID; and Ambassador
Alan P. Larson, Under Secretary, Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs;
the following officials of the Department of Defense: Peter W. Rodman,
Assistant Secretary, International Security Affairs; and BG John Allen, USMC,
Principal Director, Asian and Pacific Affairs, International Security Affairs;
and public witnesses.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on the Judiciary: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

TSUNAMIS: IS THE U.S. PREPARED?

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on Tsunamis: Is the U.S. Prepared?
Testimony was heard from Representative Inslee; Charles Groat, Director, U.S.
Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; David L. Johnson, Director,
National Weather Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.



2005/01/31
Daily Digest - Monday, January 31, 2005; pages D39 - D42

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2005/02/01
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 1, 2005; pages D43 - D48

Committee Meetings

RESOLUTION--COLLEGE MILITARY RECRUITMENT; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing 1 hour of
debate in the House on H. Con. Res. 36, expressing the continued support of
Congress for equal access of military recruiters to institutions of higher
education, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Armed Services. The rule provides one motion to
recommit. Testimony was heard from Representatives Kline and Rogers of
Alabama.

The Committee also approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.



2005/02/02                    
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 2, 2005; pages D49 - D54

Committee Meetings

ARMED FORCES ADEQUACY

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing
on the adequacy of Armed Forces. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: GEN Richard A. Cody, USA, Vice Chief
of Staff, LTG James R. Helmly, USA, Chief, Army Reserve; LTG H. Steven Blum,
USA, Chief, National Guard Bureau; LTG Roger C. Schultz, USA, Chief, Army
National Guard, all with the Department of the Army; David S. C. Chu, Under
Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; and Thomas F. Hall, Assistant Secretary,
Reserve Affairs.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on the Budget: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Met for organizational purposes.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Financial Services: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

CONFRONTING RECIDIVISM

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Confronting
Recidivism: Prisoner Re-entry Programs and a Just Future for All Americans."
Testimony was heard from Representatives Portman and Davis of Illinois; Felix
Mata, Project Manager, Ex-Offender Initiative, Office of Employment
Development, Baltimore, Maryland; Paul A. Quander, Jr., Director, Court
Services and Offender Supervision Agency, District of Columbia; Reggie
Wilkinson, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, State of Ohio; and
public witnesses.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Resources: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

HUBBLE SCIENCE OPTIONS

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on Options for Hubble Science. Testimony
was heard from Lou Lanzerotti, Chair, Committee on the Assessment of Options
for Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope, National Academy of
Sciences; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D53]

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Met for organizational
purposes.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Ways and Means: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

NATIONAL SECURITY--EMERGING THREATS

Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a hearing on emerging threats to
national security. Testimony was heard from the following former officials of
the Department of Defense: Richard Perle, Assistant Secretary, International
Security Policy; and Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Policy; R.
James Woolsey, former Director, CIA; and public witnesses.



2005/02/03
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 3, 2005; pages D56 - D60

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2005/02/07
Daily Digest - Monday, February 7, 2005; pages D62 - D64

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2005/02/08
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 8, 2005; pages D66 - D70

Committee Meetings

PRESIDENT'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the President's Budget for Fiscal
Year 2006. Testimony was heard from Joshua B. Bolten, Director, OMB.

REAL ID ACT OF 2005

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule providing one hour and 40
minutes of general debate on H.R. 418, Real ID Act of 2005, with 40 minutes
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on the Judiciary, 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by
the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Government Reform
and 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security. The rule waives all
points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that
after general debate the Committee of the Whole shall rise without motion and
no further consideration of the bill shall be in order except by a subsequent
order of the House. Testimony was heard from Chairman Sensenbrenner,
Representatives Kolbe, Jackson-Lee, Nadler, Meek and Farr. Prior to this
action the Committee met for organizational purposes.

PRESIDENT'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the President's Budget for
Fiscal Year 2006. Testimony was heard from John W. Snow, Secretary of the
Treasury.

Hearings continue tomorrow.



2005/02/09
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 9, 2005; pages D71 - D78

Committee Meetings

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National
Defense Authorization budget request. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of the Army: Francis J. Harvey, Secretary; and GEN
Peter J. Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff.

Hearings continue February 16.

SOCIAL SECURITY; DEFINING THE PROBLEM

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Social Security: Defining the
Problem. Testimony was heard from John W. Snow, Secretary of the Treasury;
David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; Douglas J. Holtz-Eakin, Director,
CBO; and a public witness.

JOB TRAINING IMPROVEMENT ACT

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on 21st Century
Competitiveness approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 27, Job
Training Improvement Act of 2005.

                                    [Page: D75]

BROADCAST DECENCY ENFORCEMENT ACT; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported H.R. 310, Broadcast Decency
Enforcement Act 2005.

The Committee approved an Oversight plan for the 109th Congress.

DOE'S FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET PROPOSAL AND THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled "Department of
Energy's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Proposal and the Energy Policy Act of 2005:
Ensuring Jobs for Our Future with Secure and Reliable Energy." Testimony was
heard from Samuel W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy.

INTERNET PROTOCOL-ENABLED SERVICES--CHANGING FACE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet held a hearing entitled "How Internet Protocol-Enabled Services are
Changing the Face of Communications: A View from Technology Companies."
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

FANNIE MAE ACCOUNTING IRREGULARITIES--IMPACT ON INVESTORS

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance,
and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled "Accounting
Irregularities at Fannie Mae and the Impact on Investors." Testimony was heard
from Donald T. Nicolaisen, Chief Accountant, SEC.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
324, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service. Located at
321 Montgomery Road in Altamonte Springs, Florida, as the "Arthur Stacey
Mastrapa Post Office Building"; and H. Con. Res. 25, Recognizing the
contributions of Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair, Jr.), David Richmond, Joseph
McNeil, and Franklin McCain, known as the "Greensboro Four," to the civil
rights movement.

Prior to this action, the Committee met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

U.S. GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2004

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Finance, and Accountability held a hearing entitled "Financial Report of the
United States Government for Fiscal Year 2004." Testimony was heard from David
M. Walker, Comptroller, GAO; Jack Martin, Chief Financial Officer, Department
of Education; and Donald V. Hammond, Fiscal Assistant Secretary, Department of
the Treasury.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Homeland Security: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT IMPLEMENTATION; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on House Administration: Held a hearing on Implementation of the
Help America Vote Act. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Election Assistance Commission: Gracia Hillman, Chair; and Paul DeGregorio,
Vice Chair; Rebecca Vigil-Giron, Secretary of State, New Mexico; Ron
Thornburgh, Secretary of State, Kansas; Todd Rokita, Secretary of State,
Indiana; and Chet Culver, Secretary of State/Commissioner of Elections, Iowa.

Prior to this action, the Committee met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on International Relations: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

VOLCKER INTERIM REPORT--U.N. OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on The Volcker Interim Report on the United
Nations Oil-for-Food Program. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

REAL ID ACT OF 2005

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule providing for further
consideration of H.R. 418, REAL ID Act of 2005, under a structured rule. The
rule provides that no further general debate shall be in order. The rule
provides that the amendment printed in Part A of the Rules Committee report
accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted in the House and in
the Committee of the Whole. The rule provides that the bill, as amended, shall
be considered as the original bill for the purpose of further amendment and
shall be considered as read. The rule makes in order only those amendments
printed in Part B of the report. The rule provides that the amendments printed
in Part B of the report may be offered only in the order printed in the
report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be
considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be
subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the
question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all
points of order against the amendments printed in Part B of the report.
Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions.

                                    [Page: D76]

NATION'S ENERGY SECURITY

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on Improving the Nation's Energy
Security: Can Cars and Trucks Be Made More Fuel Efficient? Testimony was heard
from Paul Portney, Chairman, Committee on Effectiveness and Impact of
Corporate Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards, National Academy of Sciences; and
public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
an oversight hearing on Commercial Space Transportation: Beyond the X Prize.
Testimony was heard from Representative Boehlert; Marion C. Blakey,
Administrator, FAA, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.

PRESIDENT'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2005

Committee on Ways and Means: Continued hearings on the President's Budget for
Fiscal Year 2006. Testimony was heard from Joshua Bolten, Director, OMB.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures met for
organizational purposes.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security met for
organizational purposes.



2005/02/10
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 10, 2005; pages D79 - D86

Committee Meetings

ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held
a hearing entitled "The Energy Policy Act of 2005: Ensuring Jobs for Our
Future with Secure and Reliable Energy." Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Energy: David K. Garman, Assistant
Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Cynthia Marlette,
General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Guy F. Caruso,
Administrator, Energy Information Administration; Luis Reyes, Executive
Director, Operations, NRC; and public witnesses.

MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Current Issues Related to Medical Liability Reform." Testimony was
heard from Jose Montemayor, Commissioner of Insurance, Department of
Insurance, State of Texas; and public witnesses.

FLU SHOT SUPPLY--PERPLEXING SHIFT FROM SHORTAGE TO SURPLUS

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "The Perplexing Shift
from Shortage to Surplus: Managing This Season's Flu Shot Supply and Preparing
for the Future." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Health and Human Services: Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., Director,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Jesse L. Goodman, M.D.,
Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA; Robert B.
Stroube, M.D., Commissioner, Department of Health, State of Virginia; and
public witnesses.

FISCAL YEAR 2006 DRUG BUDGET

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "Fiscal Year 2006 Drug Budget."
Testimony was heard from John P. Walters, Director, Office of National Drug
Control Policy; and a public witness.

PROPOSED BUDGET--TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled "The Proposed Fiscal
Year 2006 Budget: Enhancing Terrorism Preparedness for First Responders."
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland
Security: Penrose Albright, Assistant Secretary, Science and Technology
Directorate; and Matt A. Mayer, Acting Executive Director, Office of State and
Local Government Coordination and Preparedness; and Dennis Reimer, Director,
National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism.

BRIEFING--MIDDLE EAST PROCESS

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on The Way Forward in the
Middle East Peace Process. Testimony was heard from former Secretary of State
Henry A. Kissinger; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES--BOOKER/FANFAN DECISIONS IMPLICATIONS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held an oversight hearing on the Implications of the Booker/Fanfan
Decisions for the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Testimony was heard from
Christopher A. Wray, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice;
Ricardo H. Hinojosa, Chairman, United States Sentencing Commission; and public
witnesses.

INDIAN TRIBE RECOGNITION

Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 512, to require the prompt
review by the Secretary of the Interior of the longstanding petitions for
Federal recognition of certain Indian tribes. Testimony was heard from Michael
Olsen, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, Department of the
Interior; Robin M. Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO;
and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL POWER GENERATION

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing entitled "Opportunities and Challenges on Enhancing Federal Power
Generation and Transmission." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D83]

ENERGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRATION, AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATION ACT;
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on Science: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 610, Energy Research,
Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2005.

Prior to this action, the Committee met for organizational purposes.

PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR BUDGET REQUEST--IMPACT UPON SMALL BUSINESS; COMMITTEE
ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on the President's Fiscal Year
2006 Budget Request impact upon small business. Testimony was heard from
Hector V. Barreto, Administrator, SBA; and public witnesses.

Prior to the hearing, the Committee met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit, and Pipelines met for organizational purposes.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

MEDICARE PAYMENTS TO PHYSICIANS

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare
Payments to Physicians. Testimony was heard from Bruce Steinwald, Director,
Health Care Economic and Payment Issues, GAO; Glenn M. Hackbarth, Chairman,
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and public witnesses.

WELFARE REFORM REAUTHORIZATION PROPOSALS; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
Welfare Reform Reauthorization proposals. Testimony was heard from
Representative Woolsey; Wade F. Horn, Assistant Secretary, Administration for
Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services; Kevin M.
McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of
Human Resources, State of Maryland; David Hansell, Chief of Staff, Human
Resources Administration, Department of Social Services, New York City; and
public witnesses.

Prior to this action, the Subcommittee met for organizational purposes.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight met for organizational
purposes.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Global Updates. The Committee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.

SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESS

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



2005/02/14
Daily Digest - Monday, February 14, 2005; pages D87 - D90

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2005/02/15
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 15, 2005; pages D91 - D126

Committee Meetings

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Appropriations: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE ACT

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Education Reform
held a hearing on H.R. 366, Vocational and Technical Education for the Future
Act. Testimony was heard from Lewis L. Atkinson, III, Associate Secretary,
Adult Education and Workforce Development, Department of Education, State of
Delaware; Patrick Ainsworth, Assistant Superintendent and Director, Secondary,
Postsecondary, and Adult Leadership Division, Department of Education, State
of California; and a public witness.

SEC'S MARKET STRUCTURE PROPOSAL

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance,
and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled "The SEC's Market
Structure Proposal: Will It Enhance Competition?" Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

BROADCAST DECENCY ENFORCEMENT ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing one
hour of debate on H.R. 310, Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act, in the House
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The rule waives all points of order
against consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order the amendment
printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution, if offered
by Representative Upton of Michigan or his designee, which shall be considered
as read, and which shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent. The rules waives all points of
order against the amendment printed in the report. Finally, the rule provides
one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Upton, Markey, Slaughter, and Moran of Virginia.

CLASS ACTION FAIRNESS ACT OF 2005; COMMITTEE BUSINESS

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 90
minutes of debate on S. 5, Class Action Fairness Act, in the House equally
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order the amendment printed in
the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution, if offered by
Representative Conyers of Michigan or his designee, which shall be considered
as read, and which shall be debatable for 40 minutes equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent. The rule waives all points of
order against the amendment printed in the report. Finally, the rule provides
one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Sensenbrenner and Representative Scott of Virginia.

                                    [Page: D94]

The Committee also approved pending Committee business.

THREATS

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

Hearings continue tomorrow.



2005/02/16
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 16, 2005; pages D128 - D136

Committee Meetings

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES

Committee on Agriculture: Met for organizational purposes.

The Committee approved the following: an Oversight Plan for the 109th
Congress; and Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2006 for submission
to the Committee on the Budget.

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 Secretary
of Agriculture. Testimony was heard from Michael Johanns, Secretary of
Agriculture.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on Force Protection. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Benjamin P. Riley III, Assistant
Deputy Under Secretary (Protection) and Chairman, Combating Terrorism
Technology Task Force; LTG. David F. Melcher, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff,
Department of the Army; and LTG. James N. Mattis, USMC, Commanding General,
Marine Corps Combat and Development Command and Deputy Commandant for Combat
Development, HQMC.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on Secretary of State.
Testimony was heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State.

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Social Security
Administration. Testimony was heard from Jo Anne B. Barnhart, Commissioner of
Social Security.

MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life,
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Quality of Life.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Sgt. Major, Kenneth O. Preston, USA; Master Chief Petty Officer, Terry D.
Scott, USN; Sgt. Major John L. Estrada, USMC; and Chief Master Sgt. Gerald R.
Murray, USAF.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Continued hearings on the Fiscal Year 2006
National Defense budget request. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary; and GEN
Richard B. Myers, USAF, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Hearings continue tomorrow.

HOMELAND SECURITY NEEDS

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on National and Homeland Security:
Meeting the Needs. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

JOB TRAINING IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2005

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Began mark up of H.R. 27, Job
Training Improvement Act of 2005.

Will continue tomorrow.

SPY ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer
Protection approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 29, Spy Act.

ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
continued hearings entitled "Energy Policy Act of 2005: Ensuring Jobs for Our
Future with Secure and Reliable Energy." Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

"TERRORIST RESPONSE TO IMPROVED U.S. FINANCIAL DEFENSES"

Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Terrorist Responses to Improved U.S. Financial
Defenses." Testimony was heard from Juan C. Zarate, Assistant Secretary,
Terrorist Financing, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.

SAFE DRUG ABUSE

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy,
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "Is There Such a Thing as Safe
Drug Abuse?" Testimony was heard from Peter L. Beilenson, M.D., Commissioner,
Department of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D133]

OMB MANAGEMENT


Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Finance, and Accountability held a hearing entitled "Improving Internal
Controls--A Review of Changes to OMB Circular A-123." Testimony was heard from
Christopher B. Burnham, Acting Under Secretary, Management, Assistant
Secretary, Resource Management, and Chief Financial Officer, Department of
State; John P. Higgins, Jr., Inspector General, Department of Education; Otto
J. Wolff, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary, Administration,
Department of Commerce; and Jeffrey C. Steinhoff, Managing Director, Financial
Management and Assurance, GAO.

DHS--BUILDING INFORMATION ANALYSIS CAPABILITY

Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled: "The Proposed
Fiscal Year 2006: Building the Information Analysis Capability of DHS."
Testimony was heard from Patrick Hughes, Acting Under Secretary, Information
Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. POLICY TOWARD IRAN: NEXT STEPS

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on United States Policy
Toward Iran: Next Steps. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

COMMEMORATIVE RESOLUTION; TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging
Threats approved for full Committee action H. Res. 108, Commemorating the life
of the late Zurab Zhvania, Prime Minister of the Republic of Georgia.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on An Overview of Transatlantic Relations
Prior to President Bush's Visit to Europe. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

IRAN STATE-SPONSORED TERROR

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and
Central Asia and the Subcommittee on International Terrorism and
Nonproliferation held a joint hearing on Iran: A Quarter-Century of
State-Sponsored Terror. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--INDIAN TRUST FUND LAWSUIT STATUS

Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on the Status of the Indian
Trust Fund Lawsuit, Cobell v. Norton. Testimony was heard from Jim Cason,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; and a
public witness.

OVERSIGHT--PAPER INDUSTRY ENERGY COSTS

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and the
Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a joint oversight hearing on
the Impact of High Energy Costs on the Competitiveness of America's Pulp and
Paper Industry. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

FEDERAL R&D BUDGET OVERVIEW

Committee on Science: Held a hearing An Overview of the Federal R&D Budget for
Fiscal Year 2006. Testimony was heard from John Marburger III, Director,
Office of Science and Technology; Samuel Bodman, Secretary of Energy; Arden
Bement Director, NSF; Charles McQueary, Under Secretary, Science and
Technology, Department of Homeland Security; and Theodore Kassinger, Deputy
Secretary of Commerce.

BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; OVERSIGHT PLAN

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Approved the following: Budget
Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2006 for submission to the Committee on
the Budget; and an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress.

OVERSIGHT--AGENCIES BUDGETS AND PRIORITIES FISCAL YEAR 2006: EPA AND NOAA

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources held an oversight hearing on the following Agency Budgets and
Priorities for Fiscal Year 2006: EPA; and the NOAA. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the EPA: Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant
Administrator, Water; and Thomas P. Dunne, Deputy Assistant Administrator,
Solid Waste and Emergency Response; and Richard W. Spinrad, Assistant
Administrator, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on the Department of Veterans
Affairs Budget for Fiscal Year 2006. Testimony was heard from R. James
Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs; representatives of veterans
organizations; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D134]

THREATS

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
continue hearings on Threats. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.



2005/02/17
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 17, 2005; pages D137 - D144

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 Office of
the Inspector General, Agriculture, Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Agriculture: Phyllis K. Fong, Inspector
General; Joyce Fleischman, Deputy Inspector General; Robert Young, Assistant
Inspector General, Audit; Mark Woods, Assistant Inspector General,
Investigations; Walt Kowal, Director, Business Management and Procurement; and
Dennis Kaplan, Deputy Director, Budget, Legislation and Regulatory Systems.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on the
Secretary of Defense. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary; GEN Richard B. Myers, USAF,
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Tina W. Jonas, Under Secretary,
Comptroller.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on The Department of Homeland
Security held a hearing on Department of Homeland Security Management and
Operations. Testimony was heard from Adm. James Loy, Deputy Secretary,
Department of Homeland Security.

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Corporation for Public
Broadcasting. Testimony was heard from Kathleen Cox, President and CEO,
Corporation for Public Broadcasting; Pat Mitchell, President and CEO, Public
Broadcasting Service; and Kevin Klose, President and CEO, National Public
Radio.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National
Defense budget request for the Department of the Navy. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: Gordon R. England,
Secretary; ADM Vernon E. Clark, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; and GEN
Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps.

DOMESTIC ENTITLEMENTS

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Domestic Entitlements: Meeting the
Needs. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

JOB TRAINING IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2005

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R.
27, Job Training Improvement Act of 2005.

HEALTH CARE PRIORITIES FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled: "A Review of the
Administration's FY 2006 Health Care Priorities." Testimony was heard from
Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services.

DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet, hearing entitled "The Role of Technology in Achieving a Hard
Deadline for the DTV Transition." Testimony was heard from Mark L. Goldstein,
Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

MONETARY POLICY

Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on Monetary Policy and the
State of the Economy. Testimony was heard from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board
of Governors, Federal Reserve System.

Prior to the hearing, the Committee met to consider pending Committee
business.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; WOUNDED ARMY GUARD RESERVE
FORCES

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported H. Res. 41, Expressing the
sense of the House of Representatives that a day should be established as
"National Tartan Day" to recognize the outstanding achievements and
contributions made by Scottish-Americans to the United States.

The Committee approved Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2006 for
submission to the Committee on the Budget.

The Committee also held a hearing entitled "Wounded Army Guard Reserve Forces:
Increasing the Capacity to Care." Testimony was heard from Gregory D. Kutz,
Director, Financial Management and Assurance, GAO; the following officials of
the Department of Defense: Ellen Embrey, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Employment Health; Daniel Denning, Acting Assistant Secretary, Army, Manpower
and Reserve Affairs; LTG Franklin L. Hagenbeck, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff,
G-1; LTG Kevin C. Kiley, M.D., USA, Army Surgeon General; MG Charles Wilson,
USA, Deputy Commander, Army Reserve Command, Philip E. Sakowitz, Jr., Deputy
Director, Army Installations Management Agency; BG Raymond C. Byrne, Jr., USA,
Acting State Adjutant General, Oregon; SFC John Allen, USA, B/3/20th Special
Forces Group, National Guard, North Carolina; SFC Joseph Perez, USA, 72nd
Military Police Company, National Guard, Nevada; CWO Officer Rodger L.
Shuttleworth, USA, Chief, Reserve Component Personnel Support Services Branch,
Army Human Resources Command, National Guardsman, Maryland; and MSG Daniel
Forney, USA, Reserve Component Liaison, Medical Hold, Walter Reed Medical
Center, Army Reservist, Pennsylvania.

                                    [Page: D143]

CONTINUITY OF REPRESENTATION ACT OF 2005

Committee on House Administration: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 841,
Continuity of Representation Act of 2005.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the International
Relations Budget for Fiscal Year 2006. Testimony was heard from Condoleezza
Rice, Secretary of State.

NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR CHALLENGE

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and
the Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation held a joint
hearing on the North Korean Nuclear Challenge: Is There a Way Forward?
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

TRADEMARK DILUTION REVISION ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held a hearing on H.R. 683, Trademark Dilution Revision
Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--HEALTHY FORESTS IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on GAO Five Year Update on Wildland Fire and Forest
Service/Bureau of Land Management Accomplishments in Implementing the Healthy
Forests Restoration Act. Testimony was heard from Robin M. Nazzaro, Director,
Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; Mark Rey, Under Secretary, Natural
Resources and Environment, USDA; Rebecca Watson, Assistant Secretary, Land and
Minerals Management, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

NASA'S BUDGET PROPOSAL FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on NASA's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget
Proposal. Testimony was heard from Fred Gregory, Acting Administrator, NASA.

MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "Medical Liability
Reform: Stopping the Skyrocketing Price of Health Care." Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.

BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Began consideration of Budget Views and
Estimates for Fiscal Year 2006 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.

PRESIDENT'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2006--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES;
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the President's Fiscal Year
2006 Budget for the Department of Health and Human Services. Testimony was
heard from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The Committee approved Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2006 for
submission to the Committee on the Budget.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade met for organizational
purposes.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Global Updates. Testimony was heard from departmental
witnesses.



2005/02/18                                             
Daily Digest - Friday, February 18, 2005; pages D145 - D146

Committee Meetings

METRORAIL

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "The Capital Region's
Critical Link: Ensuring Metrorail's Future As a Safe, Reliable and Affordable
Transportation Option." Rayburn. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: Richard A.
White, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer; and Dana Kauffman,
Chairman of the Board; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D146]



2005/02/28
Daily Digest - Monday, February 28, 2005; pages D148 - D152

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2005/03/01
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 1, 2005; pages D153 - D160

Committee Meetings

USDA's RULE PROVIDING FOR CANADIAN BEEF AND CATTLE IMPORTS

Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to Review the USDA's rule providing
for Canadian beef and cattle imports. Testimony was heard from Mike Johanns,
Secretary of Agriculture; and public witnesses.

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of
State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Attorney
General. Testimony was heard from Alberto R. Gonzales, The Attorney General,
Department of Justice.

"ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL ANTI-FRAUD IN FOR-PROFIT EDUCATION"

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled "Enforcement
of Federal Anti-Fraud Laws in For-Profit Education." Testimony was heard from
Representative Waters; Thomas A. Carter, Deputy Inspector General, Department
of Education; and public witnesses.

STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITIES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census held
a hearing entitled "Strengthening Our Communities--Is It the Right Step Toward
Greater Efficiency and Improved Accountability?" Testimony was heard from Roy
A. Bernardi, Deputy Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development;
Clay Johnson, III, Deputy Director, Management, OMB; David A. Sampson,
Assistant Secretary, Economic Development, Department of Commerce; and public
witnesses.

U.N. ORGANIZATION MISSION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on United Nations
Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Case for
Peacekeeping Reform. Testimony was heard from Kim R. Holmes, Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Department of State;
and public witnesses.

Prior to the hearing, the Subcommittee received a briefing on this subject.
The Subcommittee was briefed by Jane Holl Lute, Assistant Secretary-General
for Mission Support, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations.

OVERSIGHT--CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT OF 2000

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held an oversight
hearing on the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. Testimony was heard from
Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of
the Interior; Timothy R. E. Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Oceans And
Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce; Katherine Andrews, Director, Coastal
and Aquatic Managed Areas, Department of Environmental Protection, State of
Florida; Athline Clark, Special Projects Program Manager, Division of Aquatic
Resources, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii; Togiola
T. A. Tulafono, Governor, American Samoa; Juan N. Babauta, Governor,
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Felix Camacho, Governor, Guam;
and a public witness.

CONTINUITY IN REPRESENTATION ACT OF 2005

Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote, a structured rule on H.R 841,
Continuity in Representation Act, providing 60 minutes of general debate with
40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on House Administration and 20 minutes equally divided
and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
the Judiciary. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a
substitute recommended by the Committee on House Administration now printed in
the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment,
which shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against
the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. The rule makes in order
only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the
resolution. The rule provides that the amendments made in order may be offered
only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member
designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for
the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the
proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be
subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the
Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against the
amendments printed in the report. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Ney
and Representative Jackson-Lee (TX).

                                    [Page: D157]

JOB TRAINING IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2005

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing one
hour of general debate on H.R 27, Job Training Improvement Act, equally
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Education and the Workforce. The rule provides that the amendment
in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and
the Workforce now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill
for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. The rule makes
in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report
accompanying the resolution. The rule provides that the amendments printed in
the report may be considered only in the order printed in the report, may be
offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as
read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided
and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, 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 waives all points of
order against the amendments printed in the report. Finally, the rule provides
one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Boehner and Representative Kildee, Tierney, Woolsey, Edwards, Hasting
(FL), Scott (VA).



2005/03/02
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 2, 2005; pages D162 - D170

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 Under
Secretary for Food and Safety. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the USDA: Merle Pierson, Acting Under Secretary, Food Safety;
Barbara J. Masters, Acting Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service;
and Dennis Kaplan, Budget Officer.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Army
Posture. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
the Army: Francis J. Harvey, Secretary; and GEN. J. Schoomaker, USA, Chief of
Staff.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Agencies held a hearing on HIV/AIDS Budget. Testimony
was heard from Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on The Department of Homeland
Security held a hearing on Secretary of Homeland Security. Testimony was heard
from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Secretary of the Interior. Testimony was
heard from Gale A. Norton, Secretary of the Interior.

MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Defense
Privatization Issues. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: William A. Armbruster, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Privatization and Partnerships, Department of the Army; Wayne Arny, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Installations and Facilities, Department of the Navy;
Fred Kuhn, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations, Department of the Air
Force; and Phil Grone, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and Environment.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Department of Defense Budget Overview.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Tina W. Jonas, Under Secretary, Comptroller; and Phil Grone, Deputy Under
Secretary, Installations and Environment.

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of
State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Secretary
of Commerce. Testimony was heard from Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of
Commerce.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Continued hearings on the Fiscal Year 2006
National Defense Authorization budget request. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Army: GEN John Abizaid, USA,
Combatant Commander, U.S. Central Command and GEN Bryan D. Brown, USA,
Combatant Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing
on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request--Navy
Research and Development: Programs in Support of the War on Terrorism, Naval
Transformation, and Future Naval Capabilities. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Navy: John J. Young, Assistant
Secretary, Research, Development and Acquisition; VADM Joseph A. Sestrak, USN,
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Requirements and Programs; VADM
Lewis W. Crenshaw, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources,
Requirements and Assessments; RADM Jay M. Cohen, USN, Chief of Naval Research;
LTG Robert Magnus, USMC, Deputy Commandant, Programs and Resources; and LTG
James N. Mattis, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development
Command.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
on the National Defense Authorization budget request. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Energy: Ambassador Linton F.
Brooks, Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration; and Paul M.
Golan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management.

                                    [Page: D167]

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND CURRENT FISCAL ISSUES

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Economic Outlook and Current
Fiscal Issues. Testimony was heard from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of
Governors, Federal Reserve System.

RETIREMENT SECURITY CRISIS

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled "The
Retirement Security Crisis: The Administration's Proposal for Pension Reform
and its Implications for Workers and Taxpayers." Testimony was heard from Ann
Combs, Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration; Mark
Warshawsky, Assistant Secretary, Economic Policy, Department of the Treasury;
Bradley Belt, Executive Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and
public witnesses.

COMMUNICATIONS MARKETPLACE COMPETITION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled "Competition in the
Communications Marketplace: How Technology is Changing the Structure of the
Industry." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS--CONFORMITY PROVISIONS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held
a hearing entitled "Clean Air Act Transportation Conformity Provisions
Contained in H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users." Testimony
was heard from Jeffrey R. Holmstead, Assistant Administrator, Air and
Radiation, EPA; Charles D. Nottingham, Associate Administrator, Policy,
Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation; and public
witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--HUD AND THE BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Financial Services: Held an oversight hearing on the Department
of Housing and Urban Development, including the Department's budget request
for fiscal year 2006. Testimony was heard from Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development.

SECURITY PERSONNEL SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION--DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization held a hearing entitled "The Countdown to Completion:
Implementing the New Department of Homeland Security Personnel System."
Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; Neil A. G.
McPhie, Chairman, Merit Systems Protection Board; Ronald Sanders, Associate
Director, Strategic Human Resources Policy, OPM; Ronald James, Chief Human
Capital Officer, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

PROTECTING PENSIONS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Finance, and Accountability held a hearing entitled "Protecting Pensions and
Ensuring the Solvency of PBGC." Testimony was heard from David M. Walker,
Comptroller General, GAO; Bradley Belt, Executive Director, Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation; and a public witness.

EMERGING THREATS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emergency
Threats and International Relations, hearing entitled "Emerging Threats:
Overclassification and Psuedo-classification." Testimony was heard from J.
William Leonard, Director, Information Security Oversight Office, National
Archives and Records Administration; RADM Christopher A. McMahon, USMS, Acting
Director, Departmental Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency
Response, Department of Transportation; Harold Rlyea, Specialist in American
National Government, CRS, Library of Congress; Richard Ben-Veniste,
Commissioner, National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States;
and public witness.

"PROPOSED FY 2006 BUDGET: INTEGRATING HOMELAND SECURITY SCREENING OPERATIONS"

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity held a hearing entitled "Proposed
FY 2006 Budget: Integrating Homeland Security Screening Operations." Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security:
Jim Williams, Director, US-VISIT Program, Border and Transportation Security
Directorate; Carol DiBattiste, Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security
Administration; and Deborah J. Spero, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection.

                                    [Page: D168]

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and
Central Asia approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following
resolutions: H. Con. Res. 18, Expressing the grave concern of Congress
regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties
of the Syrian and Lebanese people by the Government of the Syrian Arab
Republic; and H. Con. Res. 32, Expressing the grave concern of Congress
regarding the occupation of the Republic of Lebanon by the Syrian Arab
Republic.

CRISIS IN NEPAL

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on the Crisis in Nepal. Testimony was heard from Donald Camp,
Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary, South Asia Bureau, Department of State.

UN OPERATIONS: INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on United Nations Operations: Integrity and
Accountability. Testimony was heard from Patrick F. Kennedy, Ambassador to the
United Nations, Management and Reform, U.S. Mission to the United Nations,
Department of State and Joseph A. Christoff, Director, International Affairs
and Trade Teams, GAO.

PRESCRIPTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "Prescriptions for Health
Care Solutions." Testimony was heard from Representative King of (IA.) Mike
O'Grady, Assistant Secretary, Planning and Evaluation, Department of Health
and Human Services; and public witnesses.

TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported, as amended,
H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users.

BUDGET

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



2005/03/03
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 3, 2005; pages D172 - D178

Committee Meetings

CFTC REAUTHORIZATION

Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk
Management held a hearing on the Reauthorization of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission. Testimony was heard from Sharon Brown-Hruska, Acting
Chairman, CFTC.

Hearings continue March 9.

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 Under
Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Testimony was heard from
following officials of the USDA: J. B. Penn, Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign
Agricultural Services; James R. Little, Administrator, Farm Service Agency; A.
Ellen Terpstra, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service; Ross J. Davidson,
Jr., Administrator, Risk Management Agency; and Dennis Kaplan, Budget Office.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Homeland
Security held a hearing on the Transportation Security Administration.
Testimony was heard from David Stone, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security
for the Transportation Security Administration.

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on
Secretary of Health and Human Services. Testimony was heard from Michael O.
Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: John
P. Woodley, Jr., Principal Deputy Secretary, (Civil Works); and LTG Carl
Strock, USA, Chief of Engineers.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Bureau of Reclamation. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Gale
A. Norton, Secretary; and John W. Keys, III, Commissioner, Bureau of
Reclamation.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held an oversight hearing on U.S. Geological Survey/Hazards:
tsunamis, landslides, earthquakes. Testimony was heard from Charles G. Groat,
Director, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Forest Service. Testimony was
heard from Dale Bosworth, Chief, Forest Service, USDA.

MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Army Budget.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Army: GEN Peter T. Schoomaker, Chief of Staff; and Geoffrey Prosch, Acting
Secretary, Installations and Environment.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Cental Command. Testimony was heard
from GEN John P. Abizaid, USA, Commander, U.S. Central Command, Department of
the Army.

CARE OF INJURED AND WOUNDED SERVICE MEMBERS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing
on the Care of Injured and Wounded Service Members. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Defense: LTG F. L. Hagenbeck,
USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, G-l and MG Joseph Webb, USA, Deputy
Surgeon General, both with the Department of the Army; VADM Gerald Hoewing,
USN, Chief of Naval Personnel; VADM, Donald C. Arthur, USN, Surgeon General
and LTG H.P. Osman, USMC, Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, all
with the Department of the Navy; LTG Roger A. Brady, USAF, Deputy Chief of
Staff, Personnel and LTG George P. Taylor, Jr., USAF, Surgeon General, both
with the Department of the Air Force; CWO Four James Stephen Keeton, Arkansas
National Guard; Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anthony Cuomo, U.S. Naval Reserve,
Naval Mobilization Processing Site, Naval Station San Diego; SrA Anthony A.
Pizzifred, USAF, 343 TRS/DOO, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas; and
Sgt E5 Christopher Chandler, lst LAR Battalion/1st Marine Division, USAF, Camp
Pendleton, California.

                                    [Page: D176]

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on the
Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request on the Adequacy
of the Budget to Meet Readiness Needs. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: GEN Richard A. Cody, USA, Vice Chief
of Staff, Department of the Army; ADM. John B. Nathman, USN, Vice Chief of
Naval Operations and GEN Wiliam L. Nyland, USMC, Assistant Commandant, U.S.
Marine Corps, both with the Department of the Navy; and GEN T. Michael
Moseley, USAF, Vice Chief of Staff, Department of the Air Force.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical and Land Forces held a
hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request
on the Department of Navy and Department of the Air Force Aviation Acquisition
Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GAO: Mike
Sullivan, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management--(Joint Strike
Fighter) and Allen Li, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing
Management--(F/A-22); and the following officials of the Department of
Defense: VADM Stanley Szemborski, USN, Deputy Director, Program Analysis and
Evaluation, Office of the Secretary; John J. Young, Jr., Assistant Secretary
of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition); VADM Joseph A. Sestak,
USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Requirements and Programs (N7);
LTG John D. W. Corley, USAF, Principal Deputy, Office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition); LTG Ronald E. Keys, USAF, Deputy
Chief of Staff, Air and Space Operations; and BG Martin Post, USMC, Assistant
Deputy Commandant, Aviation.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense
Authorization budget request on Tactical C-4 Systems: Why Does the DOD Have So
Many Different Systems Performing the Same Functionality? Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Linton Wells II,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Networks and Information Integration; VADM R. F.
Willard, USN, Director, Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment (DJ-8),
Joint Staff; LTG Robert Shea, USMC, Director, Command, Control, Communications
and Computer Systems (DJ-6), Joint Staff; and LTG Robert Wagner, USA, Deputy
Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command.

MEMBERS' DAY

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Members' Day. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Petri, Berkeley, LoBiondo, Cannon, Flake, Gibbons,
Simmons, Bordallo, Shaw, Evans, Waters, Miller (NC), Hayes, Shays, Neugebauer,
Bishop (NY), Watson, Holt, Lee, Capito, Otter, Porter, Bishop (UT), Michaud,
Herseth, Linda T. Sanchez (CA), McMorris and Wilson (NM).

U.S. BOXING COMMISSION ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing on the United States Boxing Commission Act.
Testimony was heard from Ron Scott Stevens, Chairman, New York State Athletic
Commission; and public witnesses.

MAKING NETWORK WORK

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Making Network Work:
Countdown to the RFP for the Federal Government's Telecommunications Program."
Testimony was heard from Stephen A. Perry, Administrator, GSA; Linda Koontz,
Director, Information Management Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

RESOLUTION--CUBA HUMAN RIGHTS CRACKDOWN; YEAR TWO OF CASTRO'S BRUTAL CRACKDOWN
ON DISSIDENTS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere
approved for full Committee action a resolution expressing the sense of
Congress regarding the two-year anniversary of the human rights crackdown in
Cuba.

                                    [Page: D177]

The Subcommittees also held a joint hearing on Year Two of Castro's Brutal
Crackdown on Dissidents. Testimony was heard from Roger Noriega, Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State; and
public witnesses.

RESOLUTION CONCERNING TERRORIST ORGANIZATION; ALGERIA TERRORISM

Committee on International Affairs: Subcommittee on International Terrorism
and Nonproliferation approved for full Committee action H. Res. 101, Urging
the European Union to add Hezbollah to the European Union's wide-ranging list
of terrorist organizations.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Algeria's Struggle Against Terrorism.
Testimony was heard from Lorne W. Cramer, former Assistant Secretary,
Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department of State; and public witnesses.

CHILD INTERSTATE ABORTION NOTIFICATION ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.R. 748, Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property approved for full Committee action the following
measures: S. 167, Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005; H.R. 683,
amended, Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2005; H.R. 1037, To make technical
corrections to title 17, United States Code; H.R. 1036, To amend title 17,
United States Code, to make technical corrections relating to copyright
royalty judges; H.R. 1038, Multidistrict Litigation Restoration Act of 2005;
and H. Con. Res. 53, Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the
issuance of the 500,000th design patent by the United States Patent and
Trademark Office.

OVERSIGHT--IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims held an oversight hearing entitled "The Immigration Enforcement
Resources Authorized in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Act of 2004."
Testimony was heard from Representative Ortiz; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--BUDGET REQUESTS

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing entitled "President's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Request for the Bureau
of Reclamation and the Water Division of the U.S. Geological Survey."
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Interior: John W. Keys, III, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation; and Robert
Hirsch, Associate Director, Water, U.S. Geological Survey.

METHAMPHETAMINE REMEDIATION RESEARCH ACT

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on H.R. 798, Methamphetamine Remediation
Research Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Scott Burns, Deputy Director,
State and Local Affairs, Office of National Drug Control Policy; and public
witnesses.

COAST GUARD/MARITIME BUDGET

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget for
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs, and H.R. 889, Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security:
ADM Thomas H. Collins, Commandant; and Master Chief Petty Officer Franklin A.
Welch; Steven R. Blust, Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission; and F. Joseph
Moravec, Commissioner, Public Building Service, GSA.

HIGHWAY-RELATED TAXES AND TRUST FUNDS AMENDMENTS

Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 996, To amend
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the extension of
highway-related taxes and trust funds.



2005/03/04
Daily Digest - Friday, March 4, 2005; pages D179 - D186

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2005/03/07
Daily Digest - Monday, March 7, 2005; pages D188 - D192

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2005/03/08
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 8, 2005; pages D193 - D202

Committee Meetings

EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2005

Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2005.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on the
Administration for Children and Families/National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Health and Human Services: Wade J. Horn, Assistant Secretary,
Administration for Children and Families; and Duane Alexandria, Director,
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from R. James Nicholson, Secretary of
Veterans Affairs.

                                    [Page: D198]

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, The Departments of
State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Director
of the FBI. Testimony was heard from Robert S. Mueller, III, Director, FBI,
Department of Justice.

BURDEN OF UNFUNDED MANDATES ON STATE, COUNTY, AND CITY GOVERNMENTS

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Is Uncle Sam Still
Passing the Buck? The Burden of Unfunded Mandates on State, County, and City
Governments." Testimony was heard from John D. Graham, Administrator, Office
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director,
CBO; Gerry Connolly, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County, Virginia;
Mick Cornett, Mayor, Oklahoma City, OK; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging
Threats approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following
resolutions: H. Res. 101, Urging the European Union to add Hezbollah to the
European Union's wide-ranging list of terrorist organizations; and H. Res. 99,
Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to the families of
the victims of the terrorist attacks in Madrid that occurred one year ago, on
March 11, 2004, and expressing deepest sympathy to the individuals injured in
those attacks and to the people of the Kingdom of Spain.

DIGITAL MUSIC LICENSING

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held a hearing entitled "Digital Music Licensing and
Section 115 of the Copyright Act." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing for
consideration of H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The
rule provides two hours and twenty minutes of general debate, with two hours
and 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
including a final period of 10 minutes following consideration of the bill for
amendment, and 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives
all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that
the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill, modified by the
amendment printed in part A of the Rules Committee report accompanying the
resolution, shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee
of the Whole. The rule provides that the bill, as amended, shall be considered
as the original bill for the purpose of further amendment and shall be
considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in
the bill, as amended. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in
part B of the Rules Committee report which may be offered only in the order
printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the
report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified
in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent,
and shall not be subject to amendment or demand for division of the question
in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of
order against the amendments printed in part B. After disposition of the
amendments printed in part B, the Committee shall rise without motion. No
further consideration of the bill shall be in order except pursuant to a
subsequent order of the House. Testimony was heard from Chairman Young (AK),
Representatives Petri, Graves, LaTourette, Kennedy (MN), Boozman, Osborne, Tom
Davis (VA), Pitts, Flake, Burgess, Conaway, DeFazio, Menendez and Pascrell.

SMALL BUSINESS PRIORITIES

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Small Business Priorities for
the 109th Congress, with discussion of H. Res. 22, Expressing the sense of the
House of Representatives that American small businesses are entitled to a
Small Business Bill of Rights. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

PHYSICIAN-OWNED SPECIALTY HOSPITALS

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
Physician-Owned Specialty Hospitals. Testimony was heard from Glenn M.
Hackbarth, Chairman, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; Tom Gustafson,
Deputy Director, Center for Medicare Management, Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and public
witnesses.

PRESIDENT'S PROPOSAL FOR SINGLE-EMPLOYER PENSION FUNDING REFORM

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures held a
hearing on the President's Proposal for Single-Employer Pension Funding
Reform. Testimony was heard from Bradley Belt, Executive Director, Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation; Mark Warshawsky, Assistant Secretary, Economic
Policy, Department of the Treasury; Ann L. Combs, Assistant Secretary,
Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor; and public
witnesses.



2005/03/09
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 9, 2005; pages D204 - D214

Committee Meetings

CFTC REAUTHORIZATION
     
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk
Management continued hearings on Reauthorization of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on the National Intelligence Program Budget. Testimony was
heard from Larry Kindsvater, Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Community
Management, CIA.

                                    [Page: D209]

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on The Department of Homeland
Security held a hearing on FEMA. Testimony was heard from Mike Brown, Under
Secretary, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland
Security.

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Department of Labor, Health and
Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on NIH.
Testimony was heard from Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. Director, NIH, Department of
Health and Human Services.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Secretary of Energy. Testimony was heard
from Samuel W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on the Fish and Wildlife Service. Testimony
was heard from Steven A. Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Department of the Interior.

MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Air Force Budget.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Air
Force: GEN John P. Jumper, Chief of Staff; and Fred Kuhn, Acting Assistant
Secretary, Installations, Environment and Logistics.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Navy/Marine Corps Budget. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: ADM Vern
Clark, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; Gen. Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant
of the Marine Corps; and B.J. Penn, Assistant Secretary, Installations and
Environment.

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, and
Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Secretary of State. Testimony
was heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Continued hearings on the Fiscal Year National
Defense Authorization budget request. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: GEN James Jones, USMC, Combatant
Commander, U.S. European Command; ADM William J. Fallon, USN, Combatant
Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; and GEN Bantz J. Craddock, USA, Combatant
Commander, U.S. Southern Command.

Will continue tomorrow.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006--SPACE
ACTIVITIES

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request for
space activities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Peter B. Teets, Under Secretary, Air Force, Space; GEN
Lance W. Lord, USAF, Commander, U.S. Air Force Command; LTG Larry Dodgen, USA,
Commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; VADM Joseph Sestak,
USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Requirements and Programs; and
BG Thomas Benes, USMC, Director, Strategy and Plans Division, U.S. Marine
Corps.

DOD--UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE AND JOINT UNMANNED COMBAT AIR SYSTEM INVESTMENT
PROGRAMS BUDGET REQUEST

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held
a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget
request on Department of Defense unmanned aerial vehicle and Joint Unmanned
Combat Air System investment programs. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the GAO: Sharon Pickup, Director, Defense Capabilities and
Management; and Mike Sullivan, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management;
and the following officials of the Department of Defense: Glen Lamartin,
Director, Defense Systems, Office of the Secretary; LTG Ronald E. Keys, USAF,
Deputy Chief of Staff, Air and Space Operations; BG Jeff Schloesser, USA,
Director, Army Aviation Task Force; RADM Andy Winns, USN, Deputy N78 Aviation
Requirements Officer, USN; and BG Martin Post, USMC, Assistant Deputy
Commandant, Aviation.

                                    [Page: D210]

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on the Budget: Ordered reported the Concurrent Resolution on the
Budget for Fiscal Year 2006.

VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE ACT

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R.
366, Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act.

SPY ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 29, Spy
Act.

GLOBAL EARTH OBSERVATION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "The Implementation of GEOSS: A Review of the
All-Hazards Warning System and its Benefits to Public Health, Energy and the
Environment." Testimony was heard from VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN
(Ret.), Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator, NOAA,
Department of Commerce; Allen Drearry, Associate Director, Division of
Research Coordination Planning and Translation, National Institute of
Environmental Health Science, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services;
Gary Foley, Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory, EPA; Ari
Patrinos, Associate Director, Biological and Environmental Research,
Department of Energy; and public witnesses.

GSE REFORM AND THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK SYSTEM

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance,
and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled "GSE Reform and
the Federal Home Loan Bank System." Testimony was heard from Ronald A.
Rosenfeld, Chairman, Federal Housing Finance Board; David H. Hehman, President
and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
public witnesses.

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION STRUCTURE

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee Management, Integration and
Oversight held a hearing entitled "CBP and ICE: Does the Current
Organizational Structure Best Serve U.S. Homeland Security Interests?"
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on International Relations: Authorized the Chairman to seek
consideration under suspension of the rules for the following measures, with
amendments deemed agreed to, H. Con. Res. 18, Expressing the grave concern of
Congress regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil
liberties of the Syrian and Lebanese people by the Government of the Syrian
Arab Republic; H. Con. Res. 32, Expressing the grave concern of Congress
regarding the occupation of the Republic of Lebanon by the Syrian Arab
Republic; H. Con. Res. 34, Honoring the life and contributions of Yogi Bhajan,
a leader of Sikhs, and expressing condolences to the Sikh community on his
passing; H. Con. Res. 81, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
regarding the two-year anniversary of the human rights crackdown in Cuba; H.
Con. Res. 82, Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the arrest of
Ayman Nour, the leader of the al-Ghad party, by the Government of the Arab
Republic of Egypt and the support of Congress for continued progress toward
democracy in Egypt; H. Res. 101, Urging the European Union to add Hezbollah to
the European Union's wide-ranging list of terrorist organizations; H. Res.
120, Commending the outstanding efforts by members of the Armed Forces and
civilian employees of the Department of State and the United States Agency for
International Development in response to the earthquake and tsunami of
December 26, 2004; H. Res. 135, Providing for the establishment of a
commission in the House of Representatives to assist parliaments in emerging
democracies; H. Con. Res. 83, Urging the appropriate representative of the
United States to the 61st session of the United Nations Commission on Human
Rights to introduce a resolution calling upon the Government of the People's
Republic of China to end its human rights violations in China; H. Res. 99,
Expressing condolences of the House of Representatives to the families of the
victims of the terrorist attacks in Madrid that occurred one year ago, on
March 11, 2004, and expressing deepest sympathy to the individuals injured in
those attacks and to the people of the Kingdom of Spain; and H. Res. 108,
Commemorating the life of the late Zurab Zhvania, Prime Minister of the
Republic of Georgia.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Combating Human
Trafficking: Achieving Zero Tolerance. Testimony was heard from John R.
Miller, Director, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons,
Department of State; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D211]

U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging
Threats held a hearing on Developments in U.S.-Russia Relations. Testimony was
heard from Representative Weldon (PA); and public witnesses.

U.S.-PALESTINIAN RELATIONS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Middle East and Central
Asia held a hearing on U.S. Policy Toward the Palestinians in the Post-Arafat
Era Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
State: David M. Satterfield, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near
Eastern Affairs; and James Kunder, Assistant Administrator, Asia and the Near
East, AID.

LATIN AMERICA DEMOCRACY

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
held a hearing on The State of Democracy in Latin America. Testimony was heard
from following officials of the Department of State: Roger F. Noriega,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs; and Adolfo Franco,
Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, USIA; and
public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; COMMITTEE BUSINESS

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures: S. 167,
amended, Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005; H.R. 683, amended,
Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2005; H.R. 1037, To make technical
corrections to title 17, United States Code; H.R. 1036, To amend title 17,
United States Code, to make technical corrections relating to copyright
royalty judges; H.R. 1038, Multidistrict Litigation Restoration Act of 2005;
and H. Con. Res. 53, Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the
issuance of the 500,000th design patent by the United States Patent and
Trademark Office.

The Committee also approved pending Committee business.

OVERSIGHT--BUDGET REQUEST FOR FOREST SERVICE AND BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on FY'06 President's Budget for the Forest Service and the
Bureau of Land Management. Testimony was heard from Kathleen B. Clarke,
Director, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; and Mark Rey,
Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, USDA.

TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing for
further consideration of H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for
Users. The rule provides for no further general debate (except for the final
period of ten minutes contemplated in House Resolution 140). The rule makes in
order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying
the resolution. The rule provides that the amendments printed in the report
may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by
a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be
debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled
by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall
not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the
Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against the
amendments printed in the report. Finally, the rule provides one motion to
recommit with or without instructions. No testimony was heard.

NSF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Research held a hearing on the NSF
Budget and Management Challenges. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the NSF: Arden L. Bement, Jr., Director, Mark S. Wrighton,
Chairman, Audit and Oversight Committee, National Science Board; and Christine
C. Boesz, Inspector General.

FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Future of Social Security.
Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and the
following Public Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund:
Thomas R. Saving; and John L. Palmer.

BUDGET

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

Hearings continue tomorrow.



2005/03/10
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 10, 2005; pages D215 - D224

Committee Meetings

METHYL BROMIDE USE EXEMPTION

Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural
Development and Research held a hearing to access the Methyl Bromide Critical
Use Exemption (CUE) process under the Montreal Protocol. Testimony was heard
from Claudia McMurray, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Environment, Bureau of
Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Department of
State; 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 Under
Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. Testimony was heard from
Eric Bost, Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, USDA.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on
Navy/Marine Corps Posture. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of the Navy: Gordon R. England, Secretary; ADM. Vernon Clark,
USN. Chief of Naval Operations; and Gen. Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant of
the Marine Corps.

The Subcommittee also met in executive session to hold a hearing on
Navy/Marine Corps Acquisition. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of the Navy: John J. Young, Assistant Secretary;
and VADM Joseph A. Sestak, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief, Naval Operations, Warfare
Requirements and Programs (N6/N7); and BG William Catto, USMC, Commanding
General, Marine Corps Systems Command.

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the
Secretary of Education. Testimony was heard from Margaret Spellings, Secretary
of Education.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies met in executive session to hold a hearing on Department of
Energy-National Nuclear Security Administration. Testimony was heard from
Linton F. Brooks, Under Secretary, Nuclear Security and Administrator,
National Nuclear Security Administrator, Department of Energy.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

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

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Testimony was heard from Michael Garcia, Secretary, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on the National Endowment for the Arts.
Testimony was heard from Dana Gioia, Chairman, National Endowment for the
Arts.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the National Endowment for the
Humanities. Testimony was heard from Bruce Cole, Chairman, National Endowment
for the Humanities.

MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the European Command
Gen. James L. Jones, Jr., USMC, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and
Commander, U.S. European Command, Department of Defense.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Pacific Command. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: ADM William
J. Fallon, USN, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; and Gen. Leon J. LaPorte,
Commander, Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command, and
Commander, U.S. Forces Korea.

                                    [Page: D221]

DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, The Departments of
State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on NOAA.
Testimony was heard from VADM. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret), Under
Secretary, NOAA, Department of Commerce.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Continued hearings on the Fiscal Year 2006
National Defense Authorization budget request. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Donald R. Rumsfeld,
Secretary; and GEN Richard B. Myers, USAF, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Servcies: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing
on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request--The
Navy's Future Fleet: Assessing the Strength of Today's Navy for Tomorrow.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Navy: John J. Young, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Research, Development and
Acquisition; VADM Joseph A. Sestak, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of Naval
Operations, Warfare Requirements and Programs; VADM Lewis W. Crenshaw, Jr.,
USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements and
Assessments; LTG Robert Magnus, USMC, Deputy Commandant, Programs and
Resources, U.S. Marine Corps; and LTG James N. Mattis, USMC, Commanding
General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; and Ronald O'Rourke,
Specialist in National Defense, CRS, Library of Congress.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense
Authorization budget request--Defense Science and Technology in support of the
War on Terrorism, and Beyond. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Defense: Ronald M. Sega, Director, Defense Research and
Engineering; James A. Tegnelia, Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency;
Anthony J. Tether, Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; Thomas
H. Killion, Assistant Secretary of the Army, Research and Technology; RADM Jay
M. Cohen, USN, Chief of Naval Research; and James B. Engle, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Air Force, Science, Technology and Engineering.

RECREATIONAL MARINE EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 2005

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections approved for full Committee action H.R. 940, Recreational Marine
Employment Act of 2005.

STEROIDS IN SPORTS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection and the Subcommittee on Health held a joint hearing
entitled "Steroids in Sports: Cheating the System and Gambling Your Health."
Testimony was heard from Representative Ryun (KS); and public witnesses.

YUCCA MOUNTAIN REPOSITORY

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held
a hearing entitled "Funding Options for the Yucca Mountain Repository
Program." Testimony was heard from Representatives Berkley and Porter;
Theodore J. Garrish, Deputy Director, Office of Strategy and Program
Development, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Department of
Energy; and a public witness.

DIGITAL TV TRANSITION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet held a hearing entitled "Preparing Consumers for the End of the
Digital Television Transition." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--RURAL HOUSING SERVICE

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity held an oversight hearing of the Rural Housing Service, including
the Service's budget request for fiscal year 2006. Testimony was heard from
Russell T. Davis, Administrator, Rural Housing Service, USDA; and William B.
Shear, Director, GAO.

FANNIE MAE MORTGAGE REPURCHASES

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Due Diligence in Mortgage Repurchases and Fannie: The
First Beneficial Case." Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Housing and Urban Development: Kenneth M. Donohue, Sr.,
Inspector General; John P. Kennedy, Associate General Counsel, Office of
Finance and Regulatory Compliance; and Alfred M. Pollard, General Counsel,
Office of Federal Housing Enterprise; and a public witness.

                                    [Page: D222]

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
185, Program Assessment and Results Act; and S. 384, To extend the existence
of the Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Records Interagency
Working Group for 2 years.

DRUG CONTROL BUDGET

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "FY 2006 Drug Control Budget and
the Byrne Grant, HIDTA, and Other Law Enforcement Programs: Are We
Jeopardizing Federal, State and Local Cooperation?" Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Justice: Tracy A. Henke,
Associate Deputy Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs; and Catherine
M. O'Neil, Associate Deputy Attorney General and Director of Organized Crime
Drug Enforcement Task Forces; John Horton, Associate Deputy Director, State
and Local Affairs, Office of National Drug Control Policy; and public
witnesses.

COMMITTEE FUNDING

Committee on House Administration: Met to consider funding requests for the
following Committees: International Relations; Judiciary; Budget; Financial
Services; Small Business; Rules; Agriculture; and Armed Services.

KOREAN PENINSULA: SIX PARTY TALKS AND THE NUCLEAR ISSUE

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on The Korean Peninsula:
Six Party Talks and the Nuclear Issue. Testimony was heard from the following
former officials of the Department of State: William J. Perry, Secretary of
Defense; and James R. Lilley, Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations approved for full Committee action, as
amended, the following measures: H.R. 972, Trafficking Victims Protection
Reauthorization Act of 2005; and H. Con. Res. 88, Remembering the victims of
the genocide that occurred in 1994 in Rwanda and pledging to work to ensure
that such an atrocity does not take place again.

INDONESIA IN TRANSITION

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on Indonesia in Transition: Recent Developments and
Implications for U.S. Policy. Testimony was heard from Marie Huhtala, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of
State; and public witnesses.

ELIMINATING TERRORIST SANCTUARIES

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism
and Nonproliferation held a hearing on Eliminating Terrorist Sanctuaries: The
Role of Security Assistance. Testimony was heard from William P. Pope, Acting
Coordinator, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Department of
State; and RADM Hamlin B. Tallent, USN, Director of Operations, U.S. European
Command, Department of Defense.

OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE--CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing on the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: A Review of
the Civil Rights Division for the Purpose of the Reauthorization of the U.S.
Department of Justice. Testimony was heard from Alexander Acosta, Assistant
Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice.

OVERSIGHT--INTERIOR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims held an oversight hearing entitled "Interior Immigration Enforcement
Resources." Testimony was heard from Paul Martin, Deputy Inspector General,
Department of Justice; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--INTERIOR BUDGET FY 2006--ENERGY AND MINERAL PROGRAMS

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing entitled "The Interior Budget for FY 2006 in Energy and
Mineral Programs." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Interior: Johnnie Burton, Director, Minerals Management
Service; Jeff Jarret, Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement; Charles G. Groat, Director, U.S. Geological Survey; and Jim
Hughes, Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management.

OVERSIGHT--FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AND NOAA BUDGET REQUEST FY 2006

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held an oversight
hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Request of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service; and NOAA. Testimony was heard from VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr.,
(Ret.), Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce;
and Steven A. Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department
of the Interior.

                                    [Page: D223]

OVERSIGHT--AGENCY BUDGET BUDGETS AND PRIORITIES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held an oversight hearing on Agency Budgets and
Priorities for Fiscal Year 2006, with emphasis on U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, the TVA, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Saint Lawrence
Seaway Development Corporation. Testimony was heard from from the following
officials of the Department of the Army: John Paul Woodley, Jr., Principal
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Civil Works); and LTG Carl A. Strock, USA, Chief
of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Glenn L. McCullough, Jr.,
Chairman, TVA; Albert S. Jacquez, Administrator, Saint Lawrence Seaway
Development Corporation, Department of Transportation; and a public witness.

BUDGET BRIEFING AND HEARING

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
continue hearings on the Budget. Testimony was heard from departmental
witnesses.

Prior to the hearing, the Committee met in executive session to receive a
briefing on the Budget. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses.



2005/03/11
Daily Digest - Friday, March 11, 2005; pages D226 - D232

Committee Meetings

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, The Departments of
State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the NSF;
the National Science Board; and the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Testimony was heard from John H. Marburger, III, Director, Office of Science
and Technology Policy; and the following officials of the NSF: Arden L.
Bement, Jr., Director; and Ray M. Bowen, member, National Science Board.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the SEC. Testimony was heard from
William H. Donaldson, Chairman, SEC.

D.C. DRINKING WATER SAFETY

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Getting the Lead Out:
The Ongoing Quest for Safe Drinking Water in the Nation's Capital." Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the EPA: Benjamin H. Grumbles,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Water; and Donald S. Welsh, Regional
Administrator, Region III; Thomas P. Jacobus, General Manager, Washington
Aqueduct, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army; Jerry Johnson,
General Manager, Water and Sewer Authority, District of Columbia; and a public
witness.



2005/03/14
Daily Digest - Monday, March 14, 2005; pages D233 - D238

Committee Meetings

BUILDING IRAQI SECURITY FORCES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "Building Iraqi
Security Forces." Testimony was heard from Joseph Christoff, Director,
International Affairs and Trade, GAO; the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Peter W. Rodman, Assistant Secretary, International
Security Affairs; and RADM William D. Sullivan, USN, Vice-Director, Strategic
Plans and Policy; and Richard A. Jones, Senior Advisor to the Secretary and
Coordinator of Iraq, Department of State; and public witnesses.

EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR DEFENSE, THE GLOBAL WAR ON
TERROR, AND TSUNAMI RELIEF, 2005

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 1268, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for
Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005, equally divided
and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The bill shall be considered for amendment under the
five-minute rule. The rule waives all point of order against consideration of
the bill. The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for
failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized
appropriations or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill), except
for Section 1113 and 1114. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in
recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Finally, the rule provides that upon the engrossment of H.R.
1268, the Clerk shall add the text of H.R. 418 as passed by the House as new
matter at the end of H.R. 1268, and conform the title of H.R. 1268 to reflect
the addition. Testimony was heard from Chairman Lewis of California and
Representatives Obey, Stupak, Hooley of Oregon, Reyes and Tierney.



2005/03/15
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 15, 2005; pages D239 - D248

Committee Meetings

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Homeland
Security held a hearing on Customs and Border Protection. Testimony was heard
from Robert Bonner, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, Department of
Homeland Security.

                                    [Page: D244]

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Health
Resources and Services Administration. Testimony was heard from Elizabeth
James Duke, Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration,
Department of Health and Human Services.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Energy--Science, Nuclear
Energy and Renewable Energy/Conservation. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Energy: Raymond L. Orbach, Director,
Office of Science; William D. Magwood, IV, Director, Office of Nuclear Energy,
Science and Technology; and David K. Garman, Assistant Secretary, Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of
State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies continued appropriation
hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006--NAVAL CRITICAL
ENABLERS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing
on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request--Naval
Critical Enablers. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Navy: E. Anne Sandel, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Integrated
Warfare Systems; Roger M. Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Littoral and Mine
Warfare; RADM Mark J. Edwards, USN, Director, Surface Warfare Division (N76),
Department of the Navy; MG Gordon C. Nash, USMC, Director, Expeditionary
Warfare Division (N75), U.S. Marine Corps; RADM Joseph A. Walsh, USN,
Director, Submarine Warfare Division (N77); and RADM Anthony L. Winns, USN,
Deputy Director, Air Warfare Division (N78), Department of the Navy.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on the
Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request for Military
Construction, Family Housing, Base Closures, and Facilities Operations and
Maintenance. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Philip Crone, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and
Environment; Geoffrey G. Prosch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Army,
Installations and Environment; B. J. Penn, Assistant Secretary, Navy,
Installations and Environment; and Fred W. Kuhn, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Air Force, Installations.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 MISSILE DEFENSE
PROGRAMS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request for
Missile Defense Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Defense: LTG Trey Obering, USAF, Director, Missile Defense
Agency; LTG Larry J. Dodgen, USA, Commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile
Defense Command; and David W. Duma, Acting Director, Operational Test and
Evaluation.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense
Authorization budget request--Department of Defense responsibilities in
homeland defense and homeland security missions. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Paul McHale, Assistant
Secretary, Homeland Defense; ADM Timothy Keating, USN, Commander, North
American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command; and LTG
H. Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard Bureau.

WELFARE REFORM: REAUTHORIZATION OF WORK AND CHILD CARE

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on 21st Century
Competitiveness held a hearing entitled "Welfare Reform: Reauthorization of
Work and Child Care." Testimony was heard from Wade F. Horn, Assistant
Secretary, Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services; and
public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D245]

PROTECTING CONSUMERS' DATA

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled "Protecting Consumers' Data:
Policy Issues Raised by ChoicePoint." Testimony was heard from Deborah Platt
Majoras, Chairman, FTC; and public witnesses.

REGULATION NMS: THE SEC'S VIEW

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance,
and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled "Regulation NMS:
The SEC's View." Testimony was heard from William H. Donaldson, Chairman, SEC.

OVERSIGHT--UNITED NATIONS REFORM

Committee on International Relations: Held an oversight hearing on United
Nations Reform: Challenges and Prospects. Testimony was heard from the
following former United States Permanent Representatives to the United
Nations: Ambassador Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, and
Ambassador Richard S. Williamson.

PROTECTION OF LAWFUL COMMERCE ON ARMS ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on H.R. 800, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland
Security held an oversight hearing on the Department of Homeland Security to
Examine the Security of the Nation's Seaports and the Cargo Entering Those
Ports. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Homeland Security: Jayson P. Ahern, Assistant Commissioner, U.S. Customs and
Border Protection; and RADM Larry Hereth, USCG, Director, Port Security; Jeff
Keever, Deputy Executive Director, Port Authority, State of Virginia; and a
public witness.

OVERSIGHT--ELECTRICITY SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing on the Power Marketing Administrations' Role in Bringing Our
Nationwide Electricity Transmission System into the 21st Century. Testimony
was heard from the following Administrators of the Power Administrations,
Department of Energy: Charles A. Borchardt, Southeastern Power Administration;
Michael A. Deihl, Southwestern Power Administration; Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Western Area Power Administration; and Stephen J. Wright, Bonneville Power
Administration.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FY 2006

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 5
hours of general debate on H. Con. Res. 95, Concurrent Resolution on the
Budget, FY 2006, with 4 hours equally divided and controlled by the chairman
and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget, and one hour on
the subject of economic goals and policies equally divided and controlled by
Representative Saxton of New Jersey and Representative Maloney of New York or
their designees. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the concurrent resolution. The rule provides that the concurrent resolution
shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule and that the
concurrent resolution shall be considered as read. The rule makes in order
only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the
resolution which may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may
be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as
read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided
and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question
in the House and in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of
order against the amendments printed in the report, except 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 rule permits
the chairman of the Budget Committee to offer amendments in the House to
achieve mathematical consistency. The rule provides that the concurrent
resolution shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question of
its adoption. The rule provides that after passage of H. Con. Res. 95, it
shall be in order to consider in the House S. Con. Res. 18, to move to strike
all after the resolving clause of S. Con Res. 18, and to insert the provisions
of H. Con. Res. 95, as passed by the House. Finally, the rule waives all
points of order against S. Con. Res. 18, against its consideration, and
against the motion to strike and insert. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Nussle and Representatives Shays, Flake, Spratt, Cooper, Scott of Virginia,
Stupak, Brown of Ohio, Harman, and Jackson-Lee of Texas.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 50, amended,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act; H.R. 798, Methamphetamine
Remediation Research Act of 2005; and H.R. 250, amended, Manufacturing
Technology Competitiveness Act of 2005.

                                    [Page: D246]

OVERSIGHT--LASERS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
an oversight hearing on Lasers: A Hazard to Aviation Safety and Security?
Testimony was heard from Nicholas A. Sabatini, Associate Administrator,
Aviation Safety, FAA, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.

MEASURING PHYSICIAN QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF CARE IN MEDICARE

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
Measuring Physician Quality and Efficiency of Care in Medicare. Testimony was
heard from Herb Kuhn, Director, Center for Medicare Management, Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and
public witnesses.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, WORK, AND FAMILY PROTECTION ACT OF 2005

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources approved for full
Committee action, as amended, H.R. 240, Personal Responsibility, Work, and
Family Protection Act of 2005.

BUDGET HEARING

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



2005/03/16
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 16, 2005; pages D249 - D258

Committee Meetings

U.S. AGRICULTURAL TRADE WITH CUBA

Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to Review United States Agricultural
Trade with Cuba. Testimony was heard from Robert W. Werner, Director, Office
of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D254]

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agricultural, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Under
Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. Testimony was heard from
William T. Hawks, Under Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs, USDA.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Energy--Nuclear Waste
Disposal and Environmental Management. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Energy: Theodore J. Garrish, Deputy Director,
Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management; a