109th Congress (2005 - 2006)

January 3 - December 8, 2006

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

2006/01/03
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 3, 2006; pages D1 - D2

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.


               
2006/01/18
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 18, 2006; pages D4 - D8

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2006/01/20
Daily Digest - Friday, January 20, 2006; pages D10 - D12

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2006/01/24
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 24, 2006; pages D14 - D16

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2006/01/25
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 25, 2006; pages D17 - D20

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held. 



2006/01/26
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 26, 2006; pages D22 - D24

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2006/01/27
Daily Digest - Friday, January 27, 2006; pages D25 - D28

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held. 

                                    [Page: D26]



2006/01/30
Daily Digest - Monday, January 30, 2006; pages D30 - D32

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2006/01/31
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 31, 2006; pages D33 - D38

Committee Meetings

DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT--RESOLUTION AGREEING TO THE SENATE AMENDMENT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 7 to 4 with one Member voting
present, a rule providing that the House hereby concurs in the Senate
amendment to the House amendment to the bill (S. 1932) to provide for
reconciliation pursuant to section 202(a) of the concurrent resolution on the
budget for fiscal year 2006 (H. Con. Res. 95). Testimony was heard from
Representative LaTourette.

SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY THE RULES
COMMITTEE--EXTEND AND MODIFY AUTHORITIES NEEDED TO COMBAT TERRORISM

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule
XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from
the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any special rule reported
on the legislative day of February 1, 2006, providing for consideration or
disposition of a bill to extend and modify authorities needed to combat
terrorism, and for other purposes.

LIMITING ACCESS OF FORMER MEMBERS AND OFFICERS TO MEMBER AREAS

Committee on Rules: Ordered reported, by voice vote, H. Res. 648, To eliminate
floor privileges and access to Member exercise facilities for registered
lobbyists who are Former Members or Officers of the House. Testimony was heard
from Representative Snyder.



2006/02/01
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 1, 2006; pages D40 - D46

Committee Meetings

COUNTERING A NUCLEAR IRAN

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on countering a nuclear Iran.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

U.S. FORCE PROTECTION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces and
the Subcommittee on Readiness held a joint hearing on Operation Iraqi Freedom
and Operation Enduring Freedom Ground Forces Vehicle and Personnel Protection
and Rotary Wing Safety of Flight Update. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Mg Jeffrey A. Sorenson, USA,
Deputy, Acquisition and Systems Management; MG Stephen M. Speakes, USA,
Director, Force Development; and BG Stephen D. Mundt, USA, Director, Army
Aviation, all with the Department of the Army; MG William D. Catto, USMC,
Commanding General, Marine Corps Systems Command; CDR Craig T. Mallak, USN,
Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner; and BG Martin Post, USMC,
Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation, all with the Department of the Navy.

PHONE RECORD SECURITY

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled "Phone Records For
Sale: Why Aren't Phone Records Safe From Pretexting?" Testimony was heard from
Kevin J. Martin, Chairman, FCC; Jon Leibowitz, Commissioner, FTC; Lisa
Madigan, Attorney General, State of Illinois; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; FEDERAL PENSION FORFEITURE ACT REVIEW

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
4054, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
6110 East 51st Place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the "Dewey F. Bartlett Post
Office"; H.R. 4346, To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 122 South Bill Street in Francesville, Indiana, as the
"Malcolm Melville `Mac' Lawrence Post Office"; H.R. 4456, To designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2404 Race Street in
Jonesboro, Arkansas, as the "Hattie Caraway Station"; H.R. 4509, To designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1271 North King
Street in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, as the "Hiram L. Fong Post Office Building";
H. Res. 629, Supporting the goals and ideals of a day of Hearts, Congenital
Heart Defect Day in order to increase awareness about congenital heart
defects; and S. 1989, To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 57 Rolfe Square in Cranston, Rhode Island, as the "Holly A.
Charette Post Office".

The Committee also held a hearing entitled "Restoring the Public Trust: A
Review of the 'Federal Pension Forfeiture Act.'" Testimony was heard from
Linda M. Springer, Director, OPM; and public witnesses.

TAX CODE TRANSFORMATION--TAX REFORM PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports and the
Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture, and Technology held a joint
hearing entitled "Transforming the Tax Code: An Examination of the President's
Tax Reform Panel Recommendations." Testimony was heard from Representatives
Castle and Garrett; John Breaux, Vice-Chairman, President's Advisory Panel on
Federal Tax Reform; and public witnesses.

RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, without
recommendation H. R. 1631, Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act
for the 21st Century.



2006/02/02
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 2, 2006; pages D48 - D54

Committee Meetings

No Committee meetings were held.



2006/02/06
Daily Digest - Monday, February 6, 2006; pages D56 - D58

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held. 



2006/02/07
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 7, 2006; pages D60 - D64

Committee Meetings

BORDER INCURSIONS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing
entitled "Armed and Dangerous: Confronting the Problem of Border Incursions."
Testimony was heard from Representative Reyes; Elizabeth Whitaker, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of
State; David Aguilar, Chief, Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security;
and public witnesses.

BURMA HUMAN RIGHTS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Humans
Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on Asia and the
Pacific held a joint hearing on Human Rights in Burma: Where Are We Now and
What Do We Do Next? Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of State: Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East
Asian and Pacific Affairs; and Barry F. Lowenkron, Assistant Secretary, Bureau
of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; and public witnesses.



2006/02/08
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 8, 2006; pages D66 - D72

Committee Meetings

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National
Defense Authorization budget request from the Department of Defense. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Donald H.
Rumsfeld, Secretary; GEN Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff;
and GEN Peter Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army.

PRESIDENT'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the President's Budget for Fiscal
Year 2007. Testimony was heard from Joshua B. Bolten, Director, OMB.

BUILD HOUSES FOR OUR MILITARY'S ENLISTED SERVICEMEMBERS ACT

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity held a hearing on H.R. 3186, Build Houses for Our Military's
Enlisted Servicemembers Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Ryun of
Kansas and Green of Texas; and public witnesses.

FLU PANDEMIC

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and
Technology held a joint hearing entitled "Protecting the Homeland: Fighting
Pandemic Flu From the Front Lines." Testimony was heard from David B.
Mitchell, Secretary, Department of Safety and Homeland Security, State of
Delaware; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D70]

RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY

Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported adversely the following
resolutions: H. Res. 593, Directing the Secretary of State, the Secretary of
Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Attorney General, and
requesting the President, to provide certain information to the House of
Representatives relating to extraordinary rendition of certain foreign
persons; H. Res. 624, Requesting the President of the United States and
directing the Secretary of State to provide to the House of Representatives
certain documents in their possession relating to United States policies under
the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Geneva Conventions; and H. Res. 642,
Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State to provide to
the House of Representatives certain documents in their possession relating to
the Secretary of State's trip to Europe in December 2005.

LIBERIA'S ELECTION--IMPACT ON WEST AFRICA

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on The Impact of Liberia's
Election on West Africa. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of State: Jendayi E. Frazier, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of
African Affairs; and Lloyd Pierson, Assistant Administrator, Africa, U.S.
Agency for International Development; and public witnesses.

SECOND CHANCE ACT--OFFENDER RE-ENTRY

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held a hearing on H.R. 1704, Second Chance Act of 2005 (Part 2): An
Examination of Drug Treatment Programs Needed to Ensure Successful Re-entry.
Testimony was heard from Nora Volkow, M.D., Director, National Institute on
Drug Abuse, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services; Ken Batten,
Director, Office of Substance Abuse Services, Department of Mental Health,
Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, State of Virginia; and public
witnesses.

BIOMASS ENERGY USAGE

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health and the
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a joint oversight hearing on
the Effects of High Energy Costs on Jobs and the Potential for Expanded Use of
Biomass for Energy. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 4013, To amend the Reclamation Projects Authorization
and Adjustment Act of 1992 to provide for conjunctive use of surface and
groundwater in Juab County, Utah; H.R. 4080, Glendo Unit of the Missouri River
Basin Project Contract Extension Act of 2005; H.R. 4204, American River Pump
Station Project Transfer Act of 2005; and H.R. 4301, Blunt Reservoir and
Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Interior: Reed Murray, Program
Director, Central Utah Completion Act Office; and Larry Todd, Deputy
Commissioner, Policy, Administration and Budget, Bureau of Reclamation; and
public witnesses.

INTERNET SALES TAX

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight
held a hearing entitled "The Internet Sales Tax: Headaches Ahead for Small
Business?" Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

U.S.-E.U. AIR TRAVEL CONTROL

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
an oversight hearing entitled "U.S.-E.U. Open Skies Agreement: with a focus on
DOT's NPRM regarding `actual control' of U.S. air carriers." Testimony was
heard from Jeff Shane, Under Secretary, Policy, Department of Transportation;
John Byerly, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Transportation Affairs, Department of
State; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--VA'S BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on the VA's Budget
Request for Fiscal Year 2007. Testimony was heard from R. James Nicholson,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations.

PRESIDENT'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Ways and Means: Held hearings on the President's Fiscal Year 2007
Budget proposals for the Department of Health and Human Services and OMB.
Testimony was heard from Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human
Services and Joshua B. Bolten, Director, OMB.

                                    [Page: D71]

INTELLIGENCE BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2007

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Fiscal Year 2007 Intelligence Budget. Testimony was heard from
Ambassador John D. Negroponte, Director, National Intelligence.



2006/02/09
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 9, 2006; pages D73 - D76

Committee Meetings

U.S. COMPETITIVENESS--21ST CENTURY MARKETPLACE

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Sharpening Our
Edge--Staying Competitive in the 21st Century Marketplace." Testimony was
heard from Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce; and public witnesses. 



2006/02/10
Daily Digest - Friday, February 10, 2006; pages D78 - D84

Committee Meetings

No committee hearings were held. 



2006/02/13
Daily Digest - Monday, February 13, 2006; pages D86 - D90

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held. 



2006/02/14
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 14, 2006; pages D92 - D100

Committee Meetings

MEMBERS' DAY

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Members' Day. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Neugebauer, King of Iowa, Ehlers, Holt, McMorris,
Hinojosa, Tiahrt, Young of Alaska, Regula, Fossella, McGovern, Capito, Carson,
Bass, Bishop of New York, Kelly, Kucinich, Miller of North Carolina, Kennedy
of Minnesota, Brown-Waite of Florida, Salazar, Hayes, Fitzpatrick of
Pennsylvania, and Mica.

POST 9/11--NATIONAL SECURITY WHISTLEBLOWERS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats, and International Relations held a hearing entitled "National
Security Whistleblowers in the post-9/11 Era: Lost in a Labyrinth and Facing
Subtle Retaliation." Testimony was heard from James McVay, Deputy Special
Counsel, Office of Special Counsel; Glenn A. Fine, Inspector General,
Department of Justice; Gregory H. Friedman, Inspector General, Department of
Energy; Thomas Gimble, Acting Inspector General, Department of Defense; and
public witnesses.

RESOLUTION--SUPPORTING REPUBLIC OF BELARUS EFFORTS FOR DEMOCRACY

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging
Threats approved for full Committee action the following resolutions: H. Res.
673, Expressing support for the efforts of the people of the Republic of
Belarus to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human
rights and urging the Government of Belarus to conduct a free and fair
presidential election on March 19, 2006; and H. Res. 578, Concerning the
government of Romania's ban on intercountry adoptions and the welfare of
orphaned or abandoned children in Romania.

CHINESE INFLUENCE ON U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Chinese Influence on U.S. Foreign Policy
through U.S. Educational Institutions, Multilateral Organizations and
Corporate America. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D97]

VA EDUCATION AND TRAINING BUDGET

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held an
oversight hearing on the VA's Fiscal Year 2007 budget request for the
education, vocational rehabilitation, and loan guaranty programs. Testimony
was heard from Ron Aument, Deputy Under Secretary, Benefits, Department of
Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations.

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION BUDGET

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held an oversight
hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2007 budget request
for the Veterans Health Administration. Testimony was heard from Jonathan B.
Perlin, M.D., Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans Affairs; and
representatives of veterans organizations. 



2006/02/15
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 15, 2006; pages D101 - D110

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 USDA.
Testimony was heard from Mike Johanns, Secretary of Agriculture.

HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing
on DHS Management and Operations. 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 an oversight hearing on Woodrow Wilson International
Center for Scholars. Testimony was heard from Lee H. Hamilton, President and
Director, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life,
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on DOD Budget Overview.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Tina W. Jonas, Under Secretary, Comptroller; and Philip W. Grone, Deputy Under
Secretary, Installations and Environment.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Quality of Life--Senior Enlisted.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
SMA Major Kenneth O. Prestion, U.S. Army; Sgt. Major John L. Estrada, U.S.
Marine Corps; Master Chief Petty Officer Terry D. Scott, Submarines/Aviation
Warfare, Department of the Navy; and Chief CMSgt. Gerald R. Murray, U.S. Air
Force.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National
Defense Authorization budget request from the Department of the Army.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Army: Francis J. Harvey, Secretary; and GEN Peter Schoomaker, USA, Chief of
Staff.

ABLE DANGER PROGRAM

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and the
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a
joint hearing on the Able Danger program. Testimony was heard from Stephen
Cambone, Under Secretary, Intelligence, Department of Defense; and public
witnesses.

DOMESTIC ENTITLEMENTS AND THE FEDERAL BUDGET

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Domestic Entitlements and the
Federal Budget. Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General,
GAO; Douglas J. Holtz-Eakin, former Director, CBO; and a public witness.

                                    [Page: D106]

HEALTH CARE PRIORITIES FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled "The
Administration's FY '07 Health Care Priorities." Testimony was heard from
Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services.

INTERCHANGE FEES--LAW AND ECONOMICS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled "The Law and Economics of
Interchange Fees." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MONETARY POLICY REPORT

Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing to receive the Federal Reserve
Board's semiannual monetary policy report. Testimony was heard from Ben S.
Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System.

METHYL BROMIDE EXEMPTION PROCESS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a
hearing entitled "Methyl Bromide: Are U.S. Interests Being Served by the
Critical User Exemption Process?" Testimony was heard from William Wehrum,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Air and Radiation, EPA; and public witnesses.

PUBLIC HOUSING SYSTEM

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census,
hearing entitled "Living in America: Is Our Public Housing System Up to the
Challenges of the 21st Century?" Testimony was heard from David G. Wood,
Director, Financial Markets and Community Investments, GAO; the following
former officials of the Department of Housing and Urban Development: Henry
Cisneros, Secretary; and Rod Solomon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy;
and public witnesses.

MARITIME BORDER SECURITY BUDGET

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity held a hearing entitled "The
President's Fiscal Year Budget: Coast Guard Programs Impacting Maritime Border
Security." Testimony was heard from ADM Thomas H. Collins, USCG, Commandant,
U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Science, and Technology held a hearing entitled "The State of Interoperable
Communications: Perspectives from the Field." Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

HOMELAND SECURITY BUDGET

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled "The
President's Proposed FY07 Budget for the Department of Homeland Security: The
Office of Intelligence and Analysis." Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Charlie E. Allen, Chief
Intelligence Officer; and Mary V. Connell, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Intelligence and Analysis.

INTERNET IN CHINA

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on Asia and the
Pacific held a joint hearing entitled "The Internet in China: A Tool for
Freedom or Suppression?" Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of State: James Keith, Senior Advisor for China and Mongolia,
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; and David Gross, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, International Communications and Information Policy, Bureau of
Economic and Business Affairs; and public witnesses.

RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY; FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATORY RELIEF ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Res.
643, adversely, Directing the Attorney General to submit to the House of
Representatives all documents in the possession of the Attorney General
relating to warrantless electronic surveillance of telephone conversations and
electronic communications of persons in the United States conducted by the
National Security Agency; H. Res. 644, adversely, Requesting the President and
directing the Attorney General to transmit to the House of Representatives not
later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution documents
in the possession of those officials relating to the authorization of
electronic surveillance of citizens of the United States without court
approved warrants; and H.R. 3505, Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of
2005.

SECOND CHANCE ACT; AFT GUN SHOW ENFORCEMENT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security approved for full Committee action H.R. 1704, Second Chance Act of
2005.

                                    [Page: D107]

The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) Part 1: Gun Show Enforcement.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight
hearing entitled "The National Park Service 2006 Draft Management Policies and
proposed changes to Director's Order 21." Testimony was heard from Steve
Martin, Deputy Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior;
the following former officials of the Department of the Interior: William
Horn, Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks; and Denis Galvin,
Deputy Director, National Park Service; and public witnesses.

FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUDGET

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on An Overview of the Federal R&D Budget
for Fiscal Year 2007. Testimony was heard from John Marburger III, Director,
Office of Science and Technology Policy; Samuel Bodman, Secretary of Energy;
David Sampson, Deputy Secretary of Commerce; Arden Bement, Director, NSF; and
Charles McQuearty, Under Secretary, Science and Technology, Department of
Homeland Security.

OVERSIGHT--COMMERCIAL JET FUEL COSTS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
an oversight hearing on Commercial Jet Fuel Supply: Impact and Cost on the
U.S. Airline Industry. Testimony was heard from John D. Shages, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Office of Petroleum Reserves, Department of Energy;
Michael A. Cirillo, Vice President, Systems Operations Services, Air Traffic
Organization, FAA, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--BUDGET IMPACTS ON TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on How the FY 2007 Budget
Proposal Impacts SAFETEA LU. Testimony was heard from Phyllis Scheinberg,
Assistant Secretary, Budget and Promotions, Department of Transportation.

VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on annual legislative agenda,
views and priorities for veterans organizations. Testimony was heard from
representatives of veterans organizations.

Hearings continue tomorrow.

PRESIDENT'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2007 BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES

Committee on Ways and Means: Continued hearings on President Bush's Budget
proposals for fiscal year 2007. Testimony was heard from John W. Snow,
Secretary of the Treasury.

The Committee also approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal
Year 2007 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.

U.S. TRADE AGENDA

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on President Bush's trade agenda.
Testimony was heard from Robert J. Portman, U.S. Trade Representative.

BRIEFING--INTELLIGENCE VALUE OF INTERROGATION

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Oversight met in
executive session to receive a Briefing on The Intelligence Value of
Interrogation. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses.

SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT

Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to
Hurricane Katrina: Ordered reported "A Failure of Initiative," the Final
Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for
and Response to Hurricane Katrina.



2006/02/16
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 16, 2006; pages D111 - D118

Committee Meetings

BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES

Committee on Agriculture: Approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for
Fiscal Year 2007 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 the FDA.
Testimony was heard from Andrew Von Eschenbach, M.D., Acting Commissioner,
FDA, Department of Health and Human Services.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Fiscal
Year 2007 DOD Budget overview. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense, Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary; GEN
Peter Pace, USMC, Vice Chairman; and GEN Peter J. Schoomaker, USA, Chief of
Staff, both with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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
Department of Labor Fiscal Year 2007 Budget. Testimony was heard from Elaine
L. Chao, Secretary of Labor.

HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing
on Transportation Security Administration. Testimony was heard from Kip
Hawley, Administrator. Transportation Security Administration, Department of
Homeland Security.

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 U.S.
Trade Representative. Testimony was heard from Robert J. Portman, U.S. Trade
Representative.

                                    [Page: D116]

COMBATING AL QAEDA AND THE MILITANT JIHADIST THREAT

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on Combating al Qaeda and the Militant
Jihadist Threat. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

DISCRETIONARY BUDGET, PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND SPENDING TRENDS

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2007
Discretionary Budget, Performance Evaluations and Spending Trends. Testimony
was heard from Clay Johnson, Deputy Director, OMB; and public witnesses.

OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY REAUTHORIZATION ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, without
recommendation H.R. 2829, Office of National Drug Control Policy
Reauthorization Act of 2005.

STOPPING WMD FUNDING

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Weapons of Mass Destruction: Stopping the
funding--OFAC Role." Testimony was heard from Robert W. Werner, Director,
Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury.

NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL BUDGET

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "National Drug Control Budget for
Fiscal Year 2007." Testimony was heard from John P. Walters, Director, Office
of National Drug Control Policy.

HOMELAND SECURITY BUDGET

Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled "The President's
Proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Budget for the Department of Homeland Security:
Maintaining Vigilance and Improving Mission Performance in Securing the
Homeland." Testimony was heard from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland
Security.

TSA RISK-BASED SPENDING

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity held a hearing entitled "The
President's Proposed FY07 Budget: Risk-Based Spending at the Transportation
Security Administration." Testimony was heard from Kip Hawley, Administrator,
Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security.

BORDER SURVEILLANCE MISMANAGEMENT

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and
Oversight continued examination of the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence
System with a hearing entitled "Mismanagement of the Border Surveillance
System and Lessons Learned for the New Border Initiative, Part 3." Testimony
was heard from Gregory L. Giddens, Director, Secure Border Initiative Program,
Department of Homeland Security; and James C. Handley, Regional Administrator,
Great Lakes Region 5, GSA.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing entitled "The
International Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2007." Testimony was
heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State.

OVERSIGHT--CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held an oversight hearing on Victims and the Criminal Justice System:
How to Protect, Compensate, and Vindicate the Interests of Victims. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.

MULTI-STATE AND INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ACT

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held a hearing on
H.R. 4686, Multi-State and International Fisheries Conservation and Management
Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Mamie Parker, Assistant Director,
Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department
of the Interior; Jim Balsiger, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Regulatory
Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce;
William Gibbons-Fly, Director, Office of Marine Conservation, Bureau of Oceans
and International and Environmental Affairs, Department of State; and public
witnesses.

NASA BUDGET

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on NASA's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget
Proposal. Testimony was heard from the following officials of NASA: Michael
Griffin, Administrator, and Shana Dale, Deputy Administrator.

BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; GSA CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND LEASING RESOLUTIONS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Approved the following:
Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2007 for submission to
the Committee on the Budget; and GSA Capital Investment and Leasing Program
Resolutions for Fiscal Year 2006.

                                    [Page: D117] 

HOMELAND SECURITY DISASTER RESPONSE

Committee on Transportation and infrastructure: Held a hearing on Disasters
and the Department of Homeland Security: Where Do We Go From Here? Testimony
was heard from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security.

ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA--VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Concluded hearings on annual legislative
agenda, views and priorities for veterans organizations. Testimony was heard
from representatives of veterans organizations.

OVERSIGHT--VA COMPENSATION/PENSION BUDGET

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing on the VA's Fiscal Year 2007 budget
request for the compensation and pension business lines. Testimony was heard
from Daniel L. Cooper, Under Secretary, Benefits, Veterans Benefits
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and a representative of a
veterans organization.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HIGH-RISK ISSUES

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security and the
Subcommittee on Oversight held a joint hearing on Social Security Number
High-Risk Issues. Testimony was heard from Mark W. Everson, Commissioner, IRS,
Department of the Treasury; the following officials of the SSA: James B.
Lockhart, III, Deputy Commissioner, Social Security; and Patrick P. O'Carroll,
Inspector General; Stewart A. Baker, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Department
of Homeland Security; and Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Director, Education, Workforce,
and Income Security Issues, GAO.

ANNUAL ASSESSMENT OF THREATS

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Director of National Intelligence: Annual Assessment of Threats.
Testimony was heard from Ambassador John D. Negroponte, Director, Office of
the Director of National Intelligence.

FUTURE IMAGERY ARCHITECTURE

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Technical and
Tactical Intelligence met in executive session to hold a hearing on Future
Imagery Architecture. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. 



2006/02/17
Daily Digest - Friday, February 17, 2006; pages D120 - D122

Committee Meetings 

No committee meetings were held.

                                    [Page: D122]



2006/02/27
Daily Digest - Monday, February 27, 2006; pages D124 - D130

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held. 



2006/02/28
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 28, 2006; pages D131 - D138

Committee Meetings

AIR FORCE AIR REFUELING RECAPITALIZATION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Protection Forces held a hearing
on the U.S. Air Force on Aerial Refueling Recapitalization Requirements.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Air
Force: LTG Christopher Kelly, USAF, Vice Commander, Air Mobility Command; LTG
Donald Hoffman, USAF, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Air
Force (Acquisition); and LTG Donald J. Wetekam, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff,
Logistics, Installations and Mission Support; and a public witness.

                                    [Page: D135]

HURRICANE RECOVERY/FAIR HOUSING

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity held a hearing entitled "Fair Housing Issues in the Gulf Coast in
the Aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita." Testimony was heard from Kim
Kendrick, Assistant Secretary, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department
of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses.

PROGRESS SINCE 9/11--HEALTH RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats, and International Relations held a hearing entitled "Progress Since
9/11: Protecting Public Health and Safety Against Terrorist Attacks."
Testimony was heard from Cynthia Bascetta, Director, Health Care, GAO; John
Howard, M.D., Director, National Institute for Occupational Health, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services;
and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations approved for full Committee action the
following measures: H.R. 3189, amended, Central Asia Democracy and Human
Rights Act of 2005; H. Con. Res, 320, amended, Calling on the Government of
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release
Dr. Pham Hong Son and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience;
H. Res. 578, Concerning the Government of Romania's ban on intercountry
adoptions and the welfare of orphaned or abandoned children in Romania; and H.
Res. 675, Expressing disapproval of the Arab League's decision to hold its
2006 summit in Khartoum, Sudan and calling on the Arab League, the Government
of Sudan, the Sudanese rebels, and the world community to do all they can to
end acts of genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.

OVERSIGHT--AFT GUN SHOW ENFORCEMENT

Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security continued oversight hearings on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) Part 2: Gun Show Enforcement. Testimony was
heard from Michael R. Bouchard, Assistant Director (Field Operations), Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Department of Justice; and
public witnesses.

DOD'S INTELLIGENCE BUDGET; ACCORDANCE WITH THE FRAMEWORK

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a hearing on the Department
of Defense's Intelligence Budget. Testimony was heard from Stephen Cambone,
Under Secretary (Intelligence), Department of Defense.

The Committee also met in executive session concerning Accordance with the
Framework.



2006/03/01
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 1, 2006; pages D140 - D150

Committee Meetings

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the
Office of Inspector General. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the USDA: Phyllis K. Fong, Inspector General; and Kathleen S. Tight, Deputy
Inspector General.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on the 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 continued Fiscal Year 2007
appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

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 FCC.
Testimony was heard from Kevin Martin, Chairman, FCC.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST AIR FORCE AND NAVY

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the Air Force.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Air
Force: Michael W. Wynne, Secretary; and GEN T. Michael Moseley, USAF, Chief of
Staff.

The Committee also held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense
Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the Navy. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: Donald C.
Winter, Secretary; ADM Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; and
GEN Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps.

RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY

Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported adversely H. Res. 645,
Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of Defense to transmit to
the House of Representatives all information in the possession of the
President or the Secretary of Defense relating to the collection of
information pertaining to persons inside the United States without obtaining
court-ordered warrants authorizing the collection of such information and
relating to the policy of the United States with respect to the gathering of
counterterrorism intelligence within the United States.

                                    [Page: D145] 

ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE ACTIVITIES BUDGET REQUEST

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the
Department of Energy's Atomic Energy Defense Activities. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Ambassador Linton F.
Brooks, Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration; James
Rispoli, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management; and Glenn Podonsky,
Director, Office of Security and Safety Performance Assurance.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BUDGET PRIORITIES

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Department of Defense Budget
Priorities Fiscal Year 2007. Testimony was heard from Gordon England, Deputy
Secretary, Department of Defense.

AMERICAN MINING INDUSTRY--EVALUATING HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing entitled "Evaluating Health and Safety Regulations
in the American Mining Industry." Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Labor: Robert Friend, Acting Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Mine Safety and Health Administration; and Ray McKinney,
Administrator, Coal Mine Safety and Health, Mine Safety and Health
Administration; and public witnesses.

CAR TITLE FRAUD

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled "Car Title Fraud: Issues and
Approaches for Keeping Consumers Safe on the Road." Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Medicare Part D: Implementation of the New Drug Benefit." Testimony
was heard from Mark McClellan, M.D., Administrator, Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and public
witnesses.

CFIUS PROCESS

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International
Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing entitled "Foreign
Investment, Jobs and National Security: The CFIUS Process." Testimony was
heard from Robert M. Kimmitt, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Treasury;
Michael P. Jackson, Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; Eric S.
Edelman, Under Secretary, Policy, Department of Defense; C. David Welch,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State; and
public witnesses.

OIL AND GAS ROYALTIES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a
hearing entitled "Oil and Gas Royalties: The Facts, The Remedies." Testimony
was heard from Walter Cruickshank, Deputy Director, Minerals Management
Services, Department of the Interior.

2010 CENSUS/APPORTIONMENT

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census,
hearing entitled "Apportionment in the Balance: A Look Into the Progress of
the 2010 Decennial Census." Testimony was heard from Louis Kincannon,
Director, Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce; the following
officials of the GAO: Brenda Farrell, Acting Director, Strategic Issues; and
David Powner, Director, Information Technology Management Issues; and public
witnesses.

U.S. FISCAL OUTLOOK

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Finance, and Accountability held a hearing entitled "U.S. Fiscal Outlook and
the FY 2005 Governmentwide Financial Statements." Testimony was heard from
David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and Donald V. Hammond, Fiscal
Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs held a
hearing entitled "Plain English Regulations: Helping the American Public
Understand the Rules." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

BRIEFING--ACQUISITION OF TERMINAL OPERATIONS IN U.S. PORTS BY DUBAI PORT WORLD

Committee on Homeland Security: Met in executive session to receive a briefing
on the acquisition of terminal operations at six United States ports by Dubai
Port World. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses.

                                    [Page: D146] 

INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS STATE AND LOCAL PERSPECTIVES

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Science, and Technology held a hearing entitled "The State of Interoperable
Communications: Perspectives from State and Local Governments." Testimony was
heard from Gino Menchini, Commissioner, Department of Information Technology
and Telecommunications, City of New York; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property approved for full Committee action the following
measures: H.R. 4742, To amend title 35, United States Code, to allow the
Director of the Patent and Trademark Office to waive statutory provisions
governing patents and trademarks in certain emergencies; and S. 1785, Vessel
Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2005.

ENERGY EMPLOYEES ILLNESS COMPENSATION

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims began hearings entitled "The Energy Employees Occupational Illness
Compensation Program Act--Are We Fulfilling the Promise We Made to These
Veterans of the Cold War When We Created the Program," Part I. Testimony was
heard from Shelby Hallmark, Director, Office of Worker's Compensation
Programs, Department of Labor; and John Howard, M.D., Director, National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Health and Human
Services; and public witnesses.

ENERGY POLICY ACT IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing entitled "How the Federal Marketing Administrations Are Implementing
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and An Assessment of the Proposed Fiscal Year
Budgets for These Agencies." Testimony was heard from the following
Administrators of the Power Administrations, Department of Energy: Stephen J.
Wright, Bonneville Power Administration; Michael S. Hacskaylo, Western Area
Power Administration; Michael A. Deihl, Southwestern Power Administration; and
Charles A. Borchardt, Southeastern Power Administration; and public witnesses.

NATIONAL UNIFORMITY FOR FOOD ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule providing for general
debate only on H.R. 4167, National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005. The rule
provides 1 hour of general debate 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 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
Representatives Rogers of Michigan, Waxman, Stupak, Cardoza, and
Wasserman-Schultz.

OVERSIGHT--COAST GUARD BUDGET

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on the United States
Coast Guard and the Federal Maritime Commission Fiscal Year Budget Requests.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the United States Coast
Guard, Department of Homeland Security: VADM Terry Cross, Vice Commandant; and
Master Chief Petty Officer Franklin A. Welch; Steven R. Blust, Chairman,
Federal Maritime Commission; and David L. Winstead, Commissioner, Public
Building Service, GSA.

OVERSIGHT--ENVIRONMENT/WATER RESOURCES BUDGET

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held an oversight hearing on Agency Budgets and
Priorities for Fiscal Year 2007 for the following Agencies: the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Saint
Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Army: John Paul Woodley, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary (Civil Works); and LTG Carl A. Strock, Chief of Engineers,
Corps of Engineers; Bruce Knight, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, USDA; and Craig H. Middlebrook, Deputy Administrator, Saint Lawrence
Seaway Development Corporation, Department of Transportation.

MEDICARE PAYMENT POLICIES

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on MedPAC's
March Report on Medicare Payment Policies. Testimony was heard from Glenn M.
Hackbarth, Chairman, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and public
witnesses. 
     


2006/03/02
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 2, 2006; pages D151 - D176

Committee Meetings

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Rural
Development. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA:
Thomas C. Dorr, Under Secretary, Rural Development; and W. Scott Steele,
Budget Officer; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D155] 

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

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

FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on Avian Influenza-
International Response. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the NIH: Department of Health and Human Services: Anthony Fauci, M.D.,
Director, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; and Julie
Gerberding, M.D., Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
the following officials of the Department of State: Ambassador Nancy Power,
Senior Coordinator, Avian Influenza and Infectious Diseases; and Kent Hill,
M.D., Assistant Administrator, Bureau of Global Health, U.S. Agency for
International Development.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Administrator of EPA. Testimony was heard
from Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, EPA.

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 American Competitiveness
Initiative. Testimony was heard from Tom Luce, Assistant Secretary, Department
of Education; and public witnesses.

MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on U.S. Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims, the American Battle Monuments Commission, the Arlington
National Cemetery, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Testimony was heard
from William Greene, Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims;
the following officials of the American Battle Monuments Commission: GEN
Frederick M. Franks, Jr., USA, (Ret), Chairman; and BG John W. Nicholson, USA,
(Ret), Secretary; John Paul Woodley, Jr., Office of the Assistant Secretary of
the Army (Civil Works); and Timothy C. Cox, Armed Forces Retirement Home.

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.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the NSF: Arden L. Bement,
Jr., Director; and Warren Washington, Chairman, National Science Board.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST TRANSPORTATION COMMAND

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National
Defense Authorization budget request for the U.S. Transportation Command and
Component Commands. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: GEN Norton A. Schwartz, USAF, Commander, United States
Transportation Command; GEN Duncan J. McNabb, Commander, Air Mobility Command;
VADM David L. Brewer, III, USN, Commander, Military Sealift Command; and MG
Charles W. Fletcher, USA, Commander, Military Surface Deployment and
Distribution Command.

DUBAI PORTS WORLD DEAL--NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the National Security
Implications of the Dubai Ports World Deal to Take Over Management of U.S.
Ports. Testimony was heard from Ambassador Eric S. Edelman, Under Secretary,
Policy, Department of Defense; the following officials of the Department of
Homeland Security: Stewart Baker, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning and
International Affairs; and RADM Thomas Gilmour, USCG, Assistant Commandant,
Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection, U.S. Coast Guard; Alan
Misenheimer, Director, Office of Arabian Peninsula and Iran Affairs,
Department of State; Clay Lowery, Assistant Secretary, International Affairs,
Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.

GLOBAL POLLUTION AGREEMENTS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous
Materials held a hearing entitled "Legislation to Implement the POPs, PIC, and
LRTAP POPs Agreements." Testimony was heard from Claudia A. McMurray, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Environment, Bureau of Oceans and International
Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Department of State; Susan B. Hazen,
Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides,
and Toxic Substances, EPA; Claudia Polsky, Deputy Attorney General,
Environment Section, Department of Justice, State of California; and public
witnesses.

                                    [Page: D156]

BRIEFING--TERRORIST INTENTIONS TOWARD U.S. AIRCRAFT

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection, and the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment met in executive session to receive a
joint briefing on terrorist intentions toward U.S. aircraft. The Subcommittees
were briefed by departmental witnesses.

U.S. POLICY TOWARD PALESTINIANS--AFTERMATH OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on United States Policy
Toward the Palestinians in the Aftermath of Parliamentary Elections. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: C. David
Welch, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; James R. Kunder,
Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia and the Near East, U.S. Agency for
International Development; and Keith W. Dayton, U.S. Security Coordinator.

OVERSIGHT--RIGHTS UNDER NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION TREATY

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism
and Nonproliferation held an oversight hearing on Assessing Rights under the
Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--WESTERN HEMISPHERE ENERGY SECURITY

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held
an oversight hearing on Western Hemisphere Energy Security. Testimony was
heard from Karen A. Harbert, Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy and
International Affairs, Department of Energy; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 2829,
amended, Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005;
H.R. 4709, Law Enforcement and Phone Privacy Protection Act of 2006; H.R.
4356, Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2005;
H.R. 1871, amended, Volunteer Pilot Organization Protection Act of 2005; H.R.
1176, Nonprofit Athletic Organization Protection Act of 2005; and H.R. 2955,
amended, Intellectual Property Jurisdiction Clarification Act of 2005.

OVERSIGHT--SCOPE AND MYTHS OF ROE V. WADE

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing entitled "The Scope and Myths of Roe v. Wade." Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.

SOUTHERN BORDER--LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CONFRONTS VIOLENCE

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims and the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a
joint oversight hearing entitled "Outgunned and Outmanned: Local Law
Enforcement Confronts Violence Along the Southern Border." Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE'S FISCAL YEAR 2007 BUDGET

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight
hearing on the National Park Service's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget. Testimony was
heard from Fran Mainella, Director, National Park Service, Department of the
Interior.

OVERSIGHT--BUREAU OF RECLAMATION/WATER PROGRAMS BUDGET

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing entitled "The President's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Requests 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 Keys, III, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation; and Matthew
Larsen, Chief Scientist for Hydrology, U.S. Geological Survey.

LOBBYING REFORM--ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH TRANSPARENCY

Committee on Rules: Held a hearing entitled "Lobbying Reform: Accountability
through Transparency." Testimony was heard from Karen Haas, Clerk, U.S. House
of Representatives; former Representative James Bacchus of Florida; James
Thurber, Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, American
University; Thomas Mann, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution; Paul
Miller, President, American League of Lobbyists; Norman Ornstein, Resident
Scholar, American Enterprise Institute; and Fred Wertheimer, President,
Democracy 21.

                                    [Page: D157]

Hearings continue March 9.

NASA SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE--IMPACT OF FISCAL YEAR BUDGET PROPOSAL

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on NASA Science Mission Directorate:
Impacts of the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal. Testimony was heard from Mary
Cleave, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA; and public
witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--SBA'S ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Workforce, Empowerment and
Government Programs held an oversight hearing on the SBA's Entrepreneurial
Development Programs. Testimony was heard from Cheryl Mills, Associate Deputy
Administrator, Entrepreneurial Development, SBA; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--CURBSIDE OPERATIONS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Curbside Operations: Bus
Safety and ADA Regulatory Compliance. Testimony was heard from Annette
Sandberg, Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration,
Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--VA'S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUDGET

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held an oversight hearing regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' Fiscal
Year 2007 information technology budget. Testimony was heard from Gordon
Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HIGH-RISK ISSUES

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued
hearings on Social Security Number High-Risk Issues. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the SSA: Patrick P. O'Carroll, Inspector General;
and Martin H. Gerry, Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income Security
Programs; and Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income
Security Issues, GAO.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS

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

RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session and
ordered reported, without recommendation, H. Res. 641, Requesting the
President to provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in his
possession relating to electronic surveillance without search warrants on
individuals in the United States. 



2006/03/03
Daily Digest - Friday, March 3, 2006; pages D177 - D184

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held. 



2006/03/06
Daily Digest - Monday, March 6, 2006; pages D185 - D187

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2006/03/07
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 7, 2006; pages D189 - D196

Committee Meetings

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Departments of Transportation,
Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of
Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the Department of
Transportation. Testimony was heard from Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary of
Transportation.

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 GEN T. Michael Moseley, USAF, Chief of Staff,
Department of the Air Force.

                                    [Page: D193] 

HUMAN CLONING/STEM CELL RESEARCH

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy,
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "Human Cloning and Embryonic Stem
Cell Research After Seoul: Examining Exploitation, Fraud and Ethical Problems
in the Research." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Health and Human Services: James F. Battey, Jr., M.D., Chair,
NIH Stem Cell Task Force, Director, National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders; Bernard Schwetz, Director, Office for Human Research
Protections; and Chris B. Pascal, Director, Office of Research Integrity; and
public witnesses.

CRUISE SHIPS/INCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "International
Maritime Security II: Law Enforcement, Passenger Security and Incident
Investigation on Cruise Ships." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

BRIEFING--BIENNIAL BIOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack met in executive session to receive a briefing on the
Biennial Biological Risk Assessment. The Subcommittee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--WHITE COLLAR ENFORCEMENT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held an oversight hearing on White Collar Enforcement (Part 1):
Attorney-Client Privilege and Corporate Waivers. Testimony was heard from
Robert D. McCallum, Jr., Associate Attorney General, Department of Justice;
and public witnesses.

Hearings continue March 9.

NATIONAL FOOD UNIFORMITY ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing for
further consideration of H.R. 4167, National Food Uniformity Act of 2005. The
rule provides that no further general debate shall be in order. The rule makes
in order only those amendments printed in the report. 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.



2006/03/08
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 8, 2006; pages D197 - D208

Committee Meetings

EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported an Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006.

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, Related Agencies held a hearing on Food and
Safety Inspection Service. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the USDA: Richard A. Raymond, Under Secretary, Food Safety; Barbara J.
Masters, Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service; and W. Scott
Steele, Budget Officer.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold an Air Force Budget and Acquisition Overview. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Defense: Michael W. Wynne,
Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Acquisition, and Technology; and GEN. T.
Michael Moseley, USAF, Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force.

                                    [Page: D203] 

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
Department 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 DOE. Testimony was heard from Samuel W.
Bodman, Secretary of Energy.

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, Director, Commissioner, Bureau of
Reclamation.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Indian Health Services. Testimony was heard
from Charles W. Grim, Director, Indian Health Services, Department of Health
and Human Services.

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 Navy/Marine Corps
Budget. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Defense: ADM Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; and GEN
Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Pacific Command. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: ADM William
J. Fallen, USN, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; and GEN B. B. Bell, USA,
Commander, Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command, and
Commander, United States Forces Korea.

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENT 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. Lautenbacker, Jr., USN, (Ret) Under
Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FOR EUROPEAN COMMAND

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request for the European Command. Testimony was
heard from GEN James L. Jones, USMC, Commander, U.S. European Command,
Department of Defense.

NAVY MISSION EVOLUTION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing
on the Evolving Missions of the U.S. Navy and the Role of Surface and
Subsurface Combatants. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Navy: VADM Lewis W. Crenshaw, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of
Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements, and Assessments; MG Gordon C. Nash,
USMC, Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division (N75), U.S. Marine Corps; RADM
Bernard J. McCullough, USN, Director, Surface Warfare (N76); RADM Thomas J.
Kilcline, Jr., USN, Director, Air Warfare Division (N78); and RADM Joseph A.
Walsh, USN, Director, Submarine Warfare Division (N77); Ronald O'Rourke,
Specialist in National Defense, CRS, Library of Congress; and a public
witness.

DOD HISTORIC FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on
Department of Defense management of historic and historic-eligible facilities.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Philip Grone, Deputy U.S. Under Secretary (Installations and Environment);
William Armbruster, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Privatization and
Partnerships, Department of the Army; RADM Wayne G. Shear, Jr., USN, Commander
Naval Installations, Deputy Director, Ashore Readiness Division, and BGEN
James F. Flock, USMC, Assistant Deputy Commandant, Installations and
Logistics, U.S. Marine Corps, both with the Department of the Navy; and Fred
W. Kuhn, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations, Department of the Air
Force.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on the Special Operations Command:
Transforming for the Long War. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Thomas W. O'Connell, Assistant
Secretary, Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict; and GEN Bryan D. Brown,
USA, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Army.

                                    [Page: D204] 

PREVENTION OF FRAUDULENT ACCESS TO PHONE RECORDS ACT; ISSUANCE OF SERVICE
CONTRACT TO SUPPORT ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF DATA BROKERS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, the Prevention
of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act.

The Committee also approved a motion authorizing issuance of a service
contract to support the ongoing investigation by the Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations of "data brokers" who acquire and sell consumers' cell
phone records and other confidential information.

SILICOSIS STORY

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "The Silicosis Story: Mass Tort Screening and the
Public Health." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT AT 25

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs held a
hearing entitled "The Paperwork Reduction Act at 25: Opportunities To
Strengthen and Improve the Law." Testimony was heard from James Miller,
Chairman, Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service; Linda Koontz, Director,
Information Management Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

FIRST RESPONDERS PREPAREDNESS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Science, and Technology held a hearing entitled "Proposed Fiscal Year 2007
Budget: Enhancing Preparedness for First Responders." Testimony was heard from
George W. Foresman, Under Secretary, Preparedness, Department of Homeland
Security.

9/11 REFORM ACT--HUMAN SMUGGLING AND TRAFFICKING CENTER IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and
Oversight held a hearing entitled "The 9/11 Reform Act: Examining the
Implementation of the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center." Testimony was
heard from John Clark, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; Chris Swecker, Acting Executive
Assistant Director of Law Enforcement Services, Department of Justice; and
Marc Gorelick, Acting Director, Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center,
Department of State.

DARFUR PEACE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; U.S. POLICY TOWARD IRAN

Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3127,
Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2005.

The Committee also held a hearing on United States Policy Toward Iran--Next
Steps. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
State: Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary, Political Affairs; and Robert Joseph,
Under Secretary, Arms Control and International Security; and public
witnesses.

U.S.-EAST ASIA RELATIONS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on East Asia in Transition: Opportunities and Challenges for
the United States. Testimony was heard from Christopher Hill, Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State.

U.S.-EUROPEAN RELATIONSHIP

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging
Threats held a hearing on The U.S.-European Relationship: Opportunities and
Challenges. Testimony was heard from Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary, Bureau
of European and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State.

PALESTINIAN ELECTION IMPLICATIONS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and
Central Asia held a hearing on Palestinian Authority Elections: Implications
for Peace, Regional Security, and U.S. Assistance. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing entitled "The Voting Rights Act: Evidence of Continued Need."
Testimony was heard from Bill Lann Lee, former Assistant Attorney General,
Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; former Lt. Gov., Joe Rogers,
State of Colorado; and public witnesses.

COPYRIGHTS/ORPHAN WORKS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held an oversight hearing entitled "The Report on Orphan
Works by the Copyright Office." Testimony was heard from Jule L. Sigall,
Associate Register, Policy and International Affairs, Copyright Office of the
United States, Library of Congress; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D205]  

LOS ANGELES/ALASKA WATER RESOURCES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 4545, To amend the Reclamation Wastewater and
Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to participate in the Los Angeles County Water Supply Augmentation
Demonstration project; and S. 1338, Alaska Water Resources Act of 2005.
Testimony was heard from Senator Murkowski; from the following officials of
the Department of the Interior: Robert Hirsch, Associate Director, Water, U.S.
Geological Survey; and Larry Todd, Deputy Commissioner, Policy, Administration
and Budget, Bureau of Reclamation; and a public witness.

OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour
of general debate on H.R. 2829, Office of National Drug Control Policy
Reauthorization Act of 2005, equally divided and controlled by the chairman
and ranking minority member of the Committee on Government Reform. 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 the Judiciary 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 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 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 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 Representatives Souder, Terry, Latham, Graves, Boozman, Lynch,
and Bean.

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD REAUTHORIZATION

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
an oversight hearing on Reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety
Board. Testimony was heard from Mark V. Rosenker, Acting Chairman, National
Transportation Safety Board.

OVERSIGHT--EPA, NOAA, AND TVA BUDGETS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment concluded oversight hearings on Agency Budgets and
Priorities for FY 2007 for the following Agencies: EPA, NOAA, and TVA.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the EPA: Benjamin H.
Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Water; and Susan Parker Bodine, Assistant
Administrator, Solid Waste and Emergency Response; John H. Dunnigan, Assistant
Administrator, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and Bill
Baxter, Chairman, TVA.

OVERSIGHT--IMPROVING VETERANS QUALITY CARE

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on improving access
to quality care for our nation's veterans through collaboration with
affiliated medical institutions and the Department of Defense and the
operation of integrated medical facilities. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Jonathan B. Perlin,
M.D., Acting Under Secretary of Health; and Michael E. Moreland, Director and
Chief Executive Officer, VA Pittsburgh Health Care System; William
Winkenwerder, Jr., M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs, Department of
Defense; and public witnesses.

DIRECTOR--NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE FISCAL YEAR 2007 BUDGET

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Director of National Intelligence Fiscal Year 2007 Budget.
Testimony was heard from Ambassador John D. Negroponte, Director, Office of
the Director of National Intelligence.



2006/03/09
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 9, 2006; pages D209 - D222

Committee Meetings

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Farm and
Foreign Agricultural Services. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the USDA: J.B. Penn, Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign
Agricultural Services; A. Ellen Terpstra, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural
Service; Teresa Lasseter, Administrator, Farm Service Agency; Eldon Gould,
Administrator, Risk Management Agency; and Dennis Kaplan, Budget Office.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on Army Budget and Acquisition. 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.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

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

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

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

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on DOE, Environment Management. Testimony was
heard from James Rispoli, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management,
Department of Energy.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on HIV/AIDS Programs. Testimony
was heard from Mark Dybul, M.D., Deputy U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Chief
Medical Officer, Department of State.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on the Forest Service. Testimony was heard
from Dale Bosworth, Chief, Forest Service, USDA.

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
Secretary of State. Testimony was heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of
State.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST U.S. PACIFIC COMMAND AND U.S.
FORCES KOREA

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request for the U.S. Pacific Command and U.S.
Forces Korea. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: ADM William J. Fallon, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command;
and GEN B.B. Bell, USA, Commander, United Nations Command, Combined Forces
Command, U.S. Forces Korea.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY AND
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAMS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization budget request for the
Missile Defense Agency and Ballistic 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; David W. Duma,
Operational Test and Evaluation; and Peter Flory, Assistant Secretary,
International Security Affairs.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST DOD MAJOR ROTORCRAFT PROGRAMS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held
a hearing on Fiscal year 2007 National Defense Authorization Act Budget
Request for the Department of Defense major rotorcraft programs. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Tony Melita,
Defense Systems, Director, Land Warfare, Office of the Secretary; BG Stephen
Mundt, USA, Director of Aviation, U.S. Army; Thomas Laux, Program Executive
Officer for Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs, Naval Air Systems
Command; LTG John G. Castellaw, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, U.S.
Marine Corps; and MG Stanley Gorenc, USAF, Director, Operational Capability
Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air and Space Operations, U.S. Air Force.

                                    [Page: D215] 

DOE'S FISCAL YEAR BUDGET PROPOSAL

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled "Department of
Energy's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal." Testimony was heard from Samuel W.
Bodman, Secretary of Energy.

GULF COAST REGION--FEDERAL ROLE IN FACILITATING RECOVERY AND LONG-TERM
BUILDING EFFORTS

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity held a hearing entitled "The Federal Role in Facilitating Recovery
and Long-term Rebuilding Efforts in the Gulf Coast Region." Testimony was
heard from Donald E. Powell, Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding,
Department of Homeland Security.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; REGULATION OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
4855, to amend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999 to
reauthorize for 5 additional years the public and private school tuition
assistance programs established under the Act; S. 1736, To provide for the
participation of employees in the judicial branch in the Federal leave
transfer program for disasters and emergencies; H.R. 4674, To designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 North Chestnut
Street in Olathe, Kansas, as the "Governor John Anderson, Jr. Post Office
Building;" H.R. 4688, To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1 Boyden Street in Badin, North Carolina, as the "Mayor
John Thompson `Tom' Garrison Memorial Post Office;" H.R. 4786, To designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 535 Wood Street in
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as the "H. Gordon Payrow Post Office Building;" H.R.
4805, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service at 105
North Quincy Street in Clinton, Illinois, as the "Gene Vance Post Office
Building;" H. Res. 85, Supporting the goals and ideals of National "MPS Day;"
H. Res. 517, amended, Recognizing the life of Wellington Timothy Mara and his
outstanding contributions to the New York Giants Football Club, the National
Football League, and the United States; and H. Res. 556, Expressing the sense
of the House of Representatives that a National Methamphetamine Prevention
Week should be established to increase awareness of methamphetamine and to
educate the public on ways to help prevent the use of that damaging narcotic.

The Committee approved a Committee Report on the National Drug Control
Strategy for 2006 and the National Drug Control Budget for Fiscal Year 2007.

The Committee also held a hearing entitled "The Regulation of Dietary
Supplements: A Review of Consumer Safeguards." Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Robert E.
Brackett, M.D., Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA;
and Paul M. Coates, M.D., Director, Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH; C. Lee
Peeler, Deputy, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC; and public witnesses.

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REORGANIZATION ACT OF 2005

Committee on Homeland Security: Began mark up of H.R. 4439, Transportation
Security Administration Reorganization Act of 2005.

Will continue March 16.

ONLINE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ACT

Committee on House Administration: Ordered reported H.R. 1606, Online Freedom
of Speech Act.

AFGHANISTAN: PROGRESS REPORT

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Middle East and Central
Asia and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing
on Afghanistan: Progress Report. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of State: James R. Kunder, Assistant
Administrator, Bureau for Asia and the Near East; and Thomas A. Schweich,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and
Law Enforcement Affairs; and Maureen E. Quinn, Coordinator for Afghanistan,
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs; and RADM Robert T. Moeller, USA,
Director, Plans and Policy, U.S. Central Command, Department of Defense.

                                    [Page: D216] 

AFGHANISTAN: IS THE AID GETTING THROUGH?

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Afghanistan: Is the Aid Getting Through?
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

STATE/FEDERAL NOTARY RECOGNITION

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held a hearing on H.R. 1458, To require any Federal or
State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by
a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization
occurs in or affects interstate commerce. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE/NOAA BUDGET

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held an oversight
hearing on the FY '07 Budget Request of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Testimony was heard from H.
Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the
Interior; and VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.), Under Secretary,
Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on the following measures: H.R. 1370, Federal Land Asset Inventory
Reform Act; H.R. 1644, Puerto Rico Karst Conservation Act; H.R. 2110, Colorado
Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection Study Act; H.R. 4382,
Southern Nevada Readiness Center Act; H.R. 4789, To require the Secretary of
the Interior to convey certain public land located wholly or partially within
the boundaries of the Wells Hydroelectric Project of Public Utility District
No. 1 of Douglas County, Washington, to the utility district; and S. 56, Rio
Grand Natural Area Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Hastings of
Washington and Porter; Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System,
Forest Service, USDA; Tom Lonnie, Assistant Director, Minerals, Realty, and
Resource Protection, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior;
and public witnesses.

LOBBYING REFORM--REFORMING GIFT AND TRAVEL RULES

Committee on Rules: Continued hearings on lobby reform entitled "Lobby Reform:
Reforming the Gift and Travel Rules." Testimony was heard from former
Representative Mickey Edwards of Oklahoma; Robert Hynes, former Minority
Counsel, House Committee on Rules; and public witnesses.

FEDERAL ENERGY RESEARCH

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on Should Congress Establish "ARPA-E,"
The Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy? Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

SBA FINANCE PROGRAMS

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports held a
hearing entitled "Oversight of the Small Business Administration's Finance
Programs." Testimony was heard from Michael Hager, Associate Deputy
Administrator, Office of Capital Access, SBA; and public witnesses.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS OF U.S. PORTS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on Foreign Operations of
U.S. Port Facilities. Testimony was heard from Stewart A. Baker, Assistant
Secretary, Policy, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT/TRAINING

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held an
oversight hearing on the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service
contract services and its coordination with the Department of Labor's
Veterans' Employment and Training Service. Testimony was heard from Charles S.
Ciccolella, Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training Service,
Department of Labor; July Caden, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment Program, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans
Affairs; and a representative of a veterans organization.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Background on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. 



2006/03/13
Daily Digest - Monday, March 13, 2006; pages D223 - D228

Committee Meetings

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: On March 10, the Committee held a hearing on GPO,
Library of Congress, Open World Leadership Center, GAO, and CBO. Testimony was
heard from Bruce R. James, Public Printer, GPO; James H. Billington, Librarian
of Congress; David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and Donald Marron,
Acting Director, CBO.



2006/03/14
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 14, 2006; pages D230 - D240

Committee Meetings

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Held a hearing on the House of Representatives,
Office of Compliance and the Architect of the Capitol, Testimony was heard
from James M. Eagen III, Chief Administrative Officer; Karen L. Haas, Clerk of
the House; Wilson J. Livingood, Sergeant at Arms; James J. Cornell, Inspector
General; Geraldine Gennet, Office of the General Counsel; Peter G. LeFevre,
Office of the Law Revision Counsel; M. Pope Barrow, Jr., Office of the
Legislative Counsel; and John Eisold, M.D., Office of the Attending Physician;
the following officials of the Office of Compliance: Robert Holzwath; and
Barbara Camens, both members of the Board of Directors; William W. Thompson
II, Executive Director; and Peter A. Eveleth, General Counsel; and Alan M.
Hantman, Architect of the Capitol.

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Departments of Transportation,
Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of
Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the Department of Housing
and Urban Development. Testimony was heard from Alphonso R. Jackson, Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development.

                                    [Page: D236] 

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 Central Command.
Testimony was heard from GEN John P. Abizaid, USA, Commander, U.S. Central
Command, Department of Defense.

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 Appropriations held a
hearing on the Attorney General. Testimony was heard from Alberto Gonzales,
the Attorney General, Department of Justice.

RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY; DOD QUADRENNIAL DEFENSE REVIEW

Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported adversely H. Res. 685,
Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of Defense provide to the House of Representatives certain documents
in their possession relating to any entity with which the United States has
contracted for public relations purposes concerning Iraq.

The Committee also held a hearing on the Department of Defense Quadrennial
Defense Review. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Gordon England, Deputy Secretary; and ADM Edmund P.
Giambastiani, USN, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and public witnesses.

REVIEW RUDMAN REPORT ON FANNIE MAE

Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled "Review of the Rudman
Report on Fannie Mae." Testimony was heard from former Senator Warren B.
Rudman of New Hampshire.

HANDLING CLASSIFIED AND SENSITIVE INFORMATION

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "Drowning in a Sea
of Faux Secrets: Policies on Handling of Classified and Sensitive
Information." Testimony was heard from Davi M. D'Agostino, Director, Defense
Capabilities and Management, GAO; the following officials of the National
Archives and Records Administration: Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United
States; and J. William Leonard, Director, Information Security Oversight
Office; Robert Rogalski, Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Counterintelligence
and Security, Department of Defense; and Glenn S. Podonsky, Director, Office
of Security and Safety Performance Assurance, Department of Energy; and public
witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack approved for full Committee action the following measures:
Office of Domestic Nuclear Detection; Annual Report to Congress on the
Directorate of Science and Technology; and Project Bioshield Material Threats
Act of 2006.

WORKPLACE GOODS JOB GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 2005

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on H.R. 3509, Workplace Goods Job Growth and Competitiveness
Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FY 2006

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 4939, Making emergency supplemental appropriations for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006 equally divided and controlled by
the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations.
The rule provides that the bill shall be considered for amendment under the
five-minute rule. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. The rule provides that when the reading for amendment reaches Title
II, such title shall be considered as read. The rule authorizes the Chair to
accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their
amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion
to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman
Lewis of California and Representatives Kirk, Burton of Indiana, Thornberry,
Bradley of New Hampshire, Wilson of New Mexico, Pickering, Sabo,
Millender-McDonald, Tierney, and Melancon.



2006/03/15
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 15, 2006; pages D241 - D252

Committee Meetings

REVIEW FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE PROGRAM

Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk
Management held a hearing to review the Federal Crop Insurance System.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Keith Collins,
Chief Economist and Chairman, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation; and Eldon
Gould, Administrator, Risk Management Agency; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D247] 

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Marketing
and Regulatory Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the USDA: Chuck Lambert, Acting Under Secretary; and Jeremy Stump, Acting
Deputy Under Secretary, both with Marketing and Regulatory Programs; Lloyd C.
Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service; W. Ron DeHaven,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; James E. Link,
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; and W.
Scott Steele, Budget Officer.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on DOE, Nuclear Waste Disposal. Testimony was
heard from Paul Golan, Acting Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste
Management, Department of Defense.

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 H. Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the
Interior.

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

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

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 SBA.
Testimony was heard from Hector V. Barreto, Administrator, SBA.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request for the U.S. Central Command. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: GEN John
Abizaid, USA, Combatant Commander, U.S. Central Command; and Eric S. Edelman,
Under Secretary (Policy).

MILITARY FAMILY PROGRAMS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee in Military Personnel held a hearing
on the Military Resale and Morale, Welfare Morale, Welfare and Recreation
Overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Defense: Leslye A. Arsht, Deputy Under Secretary, Military Community and
Family Policy; MG Paul Essex, USAF, Commander, Army and Air Force Exchange
Service; RADM Robert E. Crowley III, USN, Commander, Navy Exchange Service
Command; BG John A. Macdonald, USA, Commanding General, U.S. Army Community
and Family Support Center; RADM Wayne G. Shear, Jr., USN, Vice Commander, Navy
Installations Command; Patrick B. Nixon, Acting Director and Chief Executive
Officer, Defense Commissary Agency; Michael P. Downs, Director, Personal and
Family Readiness Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and Arthur J.
Myers, Director, Air Force Services; and public witnesses.

NAVY SHIPBUILDING/FLEET PLAN

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing
on evolving Navy missions and the role of surface and subsurface combatants.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
VADM Lewis W. Crenshaw, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources,
Requirements, and Assessments (N8), MG Gordon C. Nash, USMC, Director,
Expeditionary Warfare Division (N75), U.S. Marine Corps; RADM Bernard J.
McCullough, USN, Director, Surface Warfare (N76); RADM Thomas J. Kileline,
Jr., USN, Director, Air Warfare Division (N78), and RADM Joseph A. Walsh, USN,
Director, Submarine Warfare Division (N77), all with the Department of the
Navy; and Ronald O'Rourke, Specialist in National Defense, Congressional
Research Service, Library of Congress.

WAR ON TERROR: INTERAGENCY

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on Implementing the Global War on Terror
Strategy: Overcoming Interagency Problems. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

                                    [Page: D248] 

YUCCA MOUNTAIN PROJECT STATUS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held
a hearing entitled "Status of the Yucca Mountain Project." Testimony was heard
from Clay Sell, Deputy Secretary, Department of Energy.

HEALTHCARE SERVICE COSTS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "What's the Cost? Proposals To Provide Consumers With Better
Information About Healthcare Service Costs." Testimony was heard from
Representatives Lipinski and Emanuel; former Speaker of the House of
Representatives Newt Gingrich of Georgia; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
4411, amended, Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2005; H.R. 4916,
To authorize United States participation in, and appropriations for, the
United States contribution to the first replenishment of the resources of the
Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; and H.R. 4912, Rural
Health Care Capital Access Act of 2006.

Will continue tomorrow.

NATION'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a
hearing entitled "Strengthening the Nation's Water Infrastructure: The Army
Corps of Engineers' Planning Priorities." Testimony was heard from Douglas W.
Lamont, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Project Planning, Department of the Army;
Anu Mittal, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; and public
witnesses.

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH CARE

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization held a hearing entitled "Improving the Quality of Healthcare in
the FEHBP." Testimony was heard from David Powner, Director, IT Management
Issues, GAO; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich
of Georgia; and public witnesses.

OMB'S LINE OF BUSINESS INITIATIVE

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance
and Accountability held a hearing entitled "OMB's Financial Management Line of
Business Initiative: Too Much Too Soon?" Testimony was heard from Linda Combs,
Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, OMB; and public witnesses.

PARK SERVICE WATERCRAFT RULES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs held a
hearing entitled "Taking on Water: The National Park Service's Stalled
Rulemaking Effort on Personal Watercraft." Testimony was heard from Karen
Taylor-Goodrich, Associate Director, Visitor Resource Protection, National
Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Science, and Technology approved for full Committee action the following
bills: H.R. 4942, Promoting Antiterrorism Capabilities Through International
Cooperation Act; and H.R. 4941, amended, Homeland Security Science and
Technology Enhancement Act of 2006.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF
2006

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and
Oversight, approved for full Committee action, as amended, the Department of
Homeland Security Management and Operations Improvement Act of 2006.

IRAN FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT

Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 282,
Iran Freedom Support Act.

The Committee approved a motion directing the Chairman to request that the
following resolutions be considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res.
90, Conveying the sympathy of Congress to the families of the young women
murdered in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, and encouraging increased United
States involvement in bringing an end to these crimes; H. Con. Res. 320,
amended, Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to
immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Pham Hong Son and other political
prisoners and prisoners of conscience; H. Res. 578, Concerning the Government
of Romania's ban on intercountry adoptions and the welfare of orphaned or
abandoned children in Romania; and H.R. 658, Supporting the goals and ideals
of Work Water Day.

NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on Europe and
Emerging Threats held a joint hearing on the Northern Ireland Peace Process:
Policing Advances and Remaining Challenges. Testimony was heard from Mitchell
B. Reiss, Special Envoy of the President and the Secretary of State for the
Northern Ireland Peace Process, Department of State; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D249] 

UNREST IN SOUTH ASIA

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on Unrest in South Asia: Recent Developments in Nepal and Sri
Lanka. Testimony was heard from Donald A. Camp, Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary, South Asian Affairs, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs,
Department of State.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
4698, amended, Disaster Relief Volunteer Protection Act of 2006; H.R. 4742, To
amend title 35, United States Code, to allow the Director of the Patent and
Trademark Office to waive statutory provisions governing patents and
trademarks in certain emergencies; and H. Con. Res. 319, Expressing the sense
of the Congress regarding the successful and substantial contributions of the
amendments to the patent and trademark laws that were enacted in 1980 (Public
Law 96-517); commonly known as the Bayh-Dole Act, on the occasion of the 25th
anniversary of its enactment; H.R. 3127, Darfur Peace and Accountability Act
of 2005; and H. Res. 724, Honoring Leonidas Ralph Mecham, Director,
Administrative Office of the United States Courts and Secretary of the
Judicial Conference of the United States.

The Committee also approved pending Committee business.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Ordered reported H.R. 4882, Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Visitor Center Deadline Enforcement Act.

The Committee also began markup of H.R. 4200, Forest Emergency Recovery and
Research Act.

INDIAN GAMING REGULATORY ACT AMENDMENTS TO RESTRICT OFF-RESERVATION GAMING

Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 4893, To amend section 20 of
the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to restrict off-reservation gaming. Testimony
was heard from James Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary, Department of the
Interior; and Philip N. Hogen, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission.

ONLINE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ACT

Committee on Rules: Testimony was heard from Chairman Ehlers and
Representatives Shays, Bass, Hensarling, Millender-McDonald and Allen, but
action was deferred on H.R. 1606, Online Freedom of Speech Act.

LEGISLATIVE LINE ITEM VETO ACT

Committee on Rules: Subcommittee on the Legislative and Budget Process held a
hearing on H.R. 4890, Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Ryan of Wisconsin and Lewis of California; Joel D.
Kaplan, Deputy Director, OMB; and Donald B. Marron, Acting Director, CBO.

UNDERGRAD SCIENCE-MATH ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Research held a hearing on Undergraduate
Science, Math and Engineering Education: What's Working? Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.

SBA BUDGET AND REAUTHORIZATION

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on the issues confronting the
Small Business Administration in the upcoming fiscal years. Testimony was
heard from Hector V. Barreto, Administrator, SBA.

MISSOURI RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprise, Agriculture and
Technology held a hearing entitled "The Missouri River and Its Spring Rise:
Science or Science Fiction?" Testimony was heard from Senator Talent; BG Gregg
F. Martin, USA, Commander and Division Engineer, Northwestern Division, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers; Mitch King, Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; Mike Wells, Deputy
Director, and Chief of Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources, State
of Missouri; and public witnesses.

RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LOAN PROGRAM

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held
a hearing on Implementation of the Recently Expanded Rail Infrastructure Loan
Program. Testimony was heard from Joseph H. Boardman, Administrator, Federal
Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation.

OVERSIGHT--EDUCATION BENEFITS

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on education
benefits for the total military force. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: T. F. Hall, Assistant Secretary,
Reserve Affairs; Bill Carr, Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Military Personnel
Policy; LTG James R. Helmly, USA, U.S. Army Reserves; LTG John A. Bradley,
USAF, U.S. Air Force Reserves; LTG John W. Bergman, USMC, U.S. Marine Corps
Reserves; MG Ronald Young, USA, Acting Director, U.S. National Guard Bureau
Joint Staff; RADM Craig McDonald, USN, U.S. Navy Reserves; and RADM Sally
Brice-O'Hara, USCG, U.S. Coast Guard Reserves, Department of Homeland
Security.

                                    [Page: D250] 

LONG-TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals. Testimony was heard from Herb B. Kuhn,
Director, Center for Medicare Management, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Mark E. Miller, Executive
Director, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and public witnesses.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT OVERSIGHT

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing
Regarding New Research on Unemployment Benefit Recipients. Testimony was heard
from Sigurd Nilsen, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security
Issues, GAO.



2006/03/16
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 16, 2006; pages D253 - D266

Committee Meetings

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FOR U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request for the U.S. Southern Command. Testimony
was heard from GEN Bantz J. Craddock, USA, Commander, U.S. Southern Command,
Department of Defense.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--SPACE ACTIVITIES

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
on Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for space
activities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Defense: Ronald M. Sega, Under Secretary; and LTG Frank G. Klotz, USAF,
both with the Department of the Air Force; and Donald M. Kerr, Director,
National Reconnaissance Office.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST NAVY AND AIR FORCE ACQUISITION
PROGRAMS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held
a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget
Request for the Department of the Navy and the Department of the Air Force
Aviation Acquisition Programs. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the GAO: Michael J. Sullivan, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing
Management; and Michael J. Hazard, Assistant Director, Acquisition Sourcing
Management Team; and the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Kenneth J. Krieg, Under Secretary, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; VADM
Lewis W. Crenshaw, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources,
Requirements and Assessments; LTG John G. Castellaw, USMC, Deputy Commandant
for Aviation, U.S. Marine Corps; and LTG Carrol H. Chandler, USAF, Deputy
Chief of Staff, Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans and Requirements,
U.S. Air Force.

KEY BUDGET PROCESS REFORMS

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Key Budget Process Reforms.
Testimony was heard from former Senator Don Nickles of Oklahoma; and from the
following former Representatives: William E. Frenzel of Minnesota and Charles
W. Stenholm of Texas.

MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing entitled "Mine Safety and Health: A Congressional
Perspective." Testimony was heard from Representatives Capito, Murphy, Rahall,
Davis of Alabama, Holt, Mollohan and Chandler.

ELECTRIC HEALTH RECORDS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Legislative Proposals To Promote Electronic Health Records and a
Smarter Health Information System." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended, the following
bills: H.R. 3997, Financial Data Protection Act 2005; and H.R. 4973, Flood
Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2006.

LEAVE NO COMPUTER SYSTEM BEHIND

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Leave No Computer
System Behind: A Review of the 2006 Federal Computer Security Scorecards."
Testimony was heard from Gregory C. Wilshusen, Director, Information Security
Issues, GAO; Karen S. Evans, Administrator, Office of E-Government and
Information Technology, OMB; Thomas P. Hughes, Chief Information Officer, SSA;
Thomas Wiesner, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Department of Labor; Robert
F. Lentz, Director, Information Assurance, Department of Defense; and Scott
Charbo, Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security.

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REORGANIZATION ACT OF 2006

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity approved for full Committee
action, as amended, H.R. 4439, Transportation Security Administration
Reorganization Act of 2005.

SAFE PORT ACT

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity held a hearing on H.R. 4954,
Security and Accountability for Every Port Act. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Jayson Ahern,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, Customs and Border
Protection; and CAPT. Brian Salerno, USCG, Deputy Director, Inspections and
Compliance, U.S. Coast Guard; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D264]  

GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Monitoring Respect for
Human Rights Around the World: A Review of the Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices for 2005. Testimony was heard from Barry Lowenkron, Assistant
Secretary, Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department of State;
and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland
Security held an oversight hearing on United States v. Booker: One Year
Later--Chaos or Status Quo? Testimony was heard from William Mercer, Principal
Associate Deputy Attorney General and U.S. Attorney General for the District
of Montana, Department of Justice; Ricardo H. Hinojosa, Chairman, United
States Sentencing Commission; Paul G. Cassell, Judge, U.S. District Court for
the District of Utah; and a public witness.

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT COMPLIANCE COSTS

Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 4857, To better inform
consumers regarding costs associated with compliance for protecting endangered
and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Greg Delwiche,
Vice President, Environment, Fish and Wildlife, Bonneville Power
Administration; and Michael S. Hacskaylo, Administrator, Western Area Power
Administration; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--IMPACT OF HURRICANES ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held an oversight
hearing on the Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the National Wildlife
Refuge System. Testimony was heard from H. Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; W. Parke Moore III, Assistant
Secretary, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, State of Louisiana; and
public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BUSINESS STRATEGIES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight
hearing entitled "National Park Service business strategies, including the
development and implementation of National Park Service business plans."
Testimony was heard from Bruce Sheaffer, Comptroller, National Park Service,
Department of the Interior; and a public witness.

EPA'S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUDGET PROPOSAL

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards
held a hearing on EPA's Fiscal Year 2007 Science and Technology Budget
Proposal. Testimony was heard from George Gray, Assistant Administrator,
Office of Research and Development and Science Advisor, EPA; and public
witnesses.

SMALL BUSINESS CYBER SECURITY

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight
held a hearing on the State of Small Business Security in a Cyber Economy.
Testimony was heard from Cita M. Furlani, Acting Director, Information
Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Department of Commerce; Larry D. Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal
Investigative Division, United States Secret Service, Department of Homeland
Security; Lydia Parnes, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC; Steven
M. Martinez, Deputy Assistant Director, Cyber Division, FBI, Department of
Justice; and public witnesses.

PIPELINE SAFETY

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Pipeline Safety. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Transportation:
Brigham McCown, Acting Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Administration; and Todd J. Zinser, Acting Inspector General; Kate Siggerud,
Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; Robert J. Chipkevich, Director,
Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety, National
Transportation Safety Board; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--VA COMPENSATION/PENSION BENEFITS

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing on the accuracy of benefits
information provided to, and the quality of service received by, individuals
calling into the Veterans Benefits Administration. Testimony was heard from
Jack McCoy, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Policy and Management, Veterans
Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives
of veterans organizations.

                                    [Page: D265]  

USE OF TAX-PREFERRED BOND FINANCING

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures held a
hearing on the Use of Tax-Preferred Bond Financing. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Shaw and Brady of Texas; Eric Solomon, Acting Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Tax Policy, Department of the Treasury; Donald Marron, Acting
Director, CBO; and public witnesses.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HIGH-RISK ISSUES

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued
hearings on Social Security Number High-Risk Issues. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of SSA: Patrick P. O'Carroll, Inspector General; and
Frederick G. Streckewald, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income
Security Programs; and public witnesses.

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT AND DOCUMENT ANNEX

Select Bipartisan Committee To Investigate the Preparation for and Response to
Hurricane Katrina: Ordered reported the Select Committee's Supplementary
Report and Document Annex. 



2006/03/27
Daily Digest - Monday, March 27, 2006; pages D268 - D276

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held. 



2006/03/28
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 28, 2006; pages D277 - D286

Committee Meetings

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Food
and Nutrition Service. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
USDA: Eric M. Bost, Under Secretary; Kate Coler, Deputy Under Secretary, and
Roberto Salazar, Administrator, all with Food, Nutrition and Consumer
Services; Eric Hentges, Executive Director, Center for Nutrition Policy and
Promotion; and W. Scott Steele, Budget Officer.

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 VA/DHP Joint
Incentives Programs. Testimony was heard from Gordon H. Mansfield, Deputy
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs; and David S. C. Chu, Under
Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense.

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, 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 FBI.
Testimony was heard from Robert S. Mueller III, Director, FBI, Department of
Justice.

U.S. NAVY'S FUTURE SUBMARINE FORCE STRUCTURE

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing
on U.S. Navy's future submarine force structure. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Navy: Allison Stiller, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Ships; ADM Charles L. Munns, USN, Commander, Naval
Submarine Forces; RADM Joseph A. Walsh, USN, Director, Submarine Warfare
Division (N87); and RADM William H. Hilarides, USN, Program Executive Officer
for Submarines, Naval Sea Systems Command; Ronald O'Rourke, Specialist in
National Defense, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; and
public witnesses.

OPM'S 2007 BUDGET

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization held a hearing entitled "OPM's 2007 Budget and New Strategic and
Operational Plan: A Discussion With the OPM Director." Testimony was heard
from Linda Springer, Director, OPM.

                                    [Page: D282] 

BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT--INVESTIGATIVE PRIORITIES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats, and International Relations held a hearing entitled "Setting
Post-9/11 Investigative Priorities at the Bureau of Immigration and Customs
Enforcement." Testimony was heard from Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland
Security and Justice Issues, GAO; the following officials of the Department of
Homeland Security: Richard L. Skinner, Inspector General; and Robert Schoch,
Deputy Assistant Director, National Security Division, ICE Office of
Investigations; Joseph Webber, former Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; and
public witnesses.

BRIEFING--SECURITY RESTRAINTS ON BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack met in executive session to receive a briefing on Security
Restraints on Biological Research: Where Are the Boundaries? The Subcommittee
was briefed by public witnesses.

ETHIOPIA'S TROUBLED INTERNAL SITUATION

Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Ethiopia's Troubled
Internal Situation. Testimony was heard from Donald Y. Yamamoto, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State; and
public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES--REFORMING
LICENSING AND ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held an oversight hearing on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE): Reforming Licensing and Enforcement
Authorities. Testimony was heard from Audrey Stucko, Deputy Assistant
Director, Enforcement Programs and Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.

FIREARMS CORRECTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held a hearing on H.R. 5005, Firearms Corrections and Improvements
Act. Testimony was heard from Audrey Stucko, Deputy Assistant Director,
Enforcement Programs and Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
Explosives, Department of Justice; Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, City of New
York; and a public witness.

COLLEGE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule on H.R. 609,
College Access and Opportunity Act, providing one hour of general debate
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on Education and the Workforce. The rule waives all points of
order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that in lieu of the
amendment recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now
printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of
the text of the Rules Committee Print dated March 22, 2006 shall be considered
as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as
read. The rule waives all points of order against that 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
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. The rule
provides that, after disposition of the amendments printed in the report, 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 McKeon, and Representatives Petri, Castle,
Biggert, Keller, McMorris, Boustany, Burton, Lewis (KY), King (IA), Gohmert,
George Miller (CA), Holt, McCarthy, Tierney, Kind, McCollum, Davis (IL),
Grijalva, Bishop (NY), Blumenauer, Jefferson, Jackson-Lee, Kennedy (RI) and
Emanuel. 



2006/03/29
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 29, 2006; pages D288 - D302

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 Natural
Resources and Environment. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the USDA: Mark E. Rey, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment;
Bruce I. Knight, Chief, and Steven A. Probst, Director, Budget Planning and
Analysis Division, both with Natural Resources Conservation Service; and W.
Scott Steele, Budget Officer.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on National Foreign Intelligence Program. Testimony was
heard from John D. Negroponte, Director, Office of the Director of National
Intelligence.

                                    [Page: D295]

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 continued appropriation
hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

Hearings continue tomorrow.

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of
Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary,
District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on IRS and on
DC, Courts and Criminal Justice. Testimony was heard from Mark W. Everson,
Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury; the following officials of the
District of Columbia Courts and Criminal Justice: Avis E. Buchanan, Public
Defender Service; Rufus G. King III, Chief Judge, Superior Court of the
District of Columbia; Paul A. Quander, Jr., Court Services and Offender
Supervision Agency; and Eric T. Washington, Chief Judge, District of Columbia
Court of Appeals, and Chair of the Joint Committee on Judicial Administration.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on DOE, Science Research. Testimony was heard
from Raymond L. Orbach, Director, Science, Department of Energy.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on Millennium Challenge
Corporation. Testimony was heard from Ambassador John J. Danilovich, Chief
Operating Officer, Millennium Challenge Corporation.

HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing
on FEMA. Testimony was heard from R. David Paulison, Acting Director, FEMA,
Department of Homeland Security.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Smithsonian, on National Endowment for the
Humanities, and on National Endowment for the Arts. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Smithsonian: Sheila P. Burke, Deputy Secretary
and Chief Operating Officer; David L. Evans, Under Secretary, Science; and M.
John Berry, Director, National Zoological Park; Bruce Cole, Chairman, National
Endowment for the Humanities; and Dana Gioia, Chairman, National Endowment for
the Arts.

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 GEN Peter T. Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff, U.S.
Army.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on VA/DHP Information Technology.
Testimony was heard from Robert N. McFarland, Assistant Secretary, Information
Technology, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Carl Hendricks, Chief
Information Officer, Military Health System, Department of Defense.

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
Marshals/Prisons. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Justice: John F. Clark, Director, U.S. Marshals Services; and
Harley G. Lappin, Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons.

DEFENSE ACQUISITION REFORM

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on issues relating to defense
acquisition reform. Testimony was heard from Terry R. Little, Acquisition
Advisor to the Director, Missile Defense Agency, Department of Defense; and
public witnesses.

DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing
on the Defense Health Program--Department of Defense Initiatives to Control
Costs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Defense: David S.C. Chu, Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; William
Winkenwerder, Jr., M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; GEN Richard
Cody, USA, Vice Chief of Staff, Department of the Army; ADM Robert F. Willard,
USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy; GEN John D.W.
Corley, USAF, Vice Chief of Staff, Department of the Air Force; GEN Robert
Magnus, USMC, Assistant Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D296]   

DEFENSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on Defense Science and Technology: Investments
To Shape the Evolving Terrorist Threat. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Terry J. Jaggers, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Air Force for Science, Technology and Engineering, Department of
the Air Force; Thomas Killion, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Research and
Technology/Chief Scientist, Department of the Army; RADM William E. Landay
III, USN, Chief of Naval Research, U.S. Navy; John Young, Director, Defense
Research and Engineering; and Anthony J. Tether, Director, Defense Advance
Research and Projects Agency.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on the Budget: Ordered reported a resolution establishing the
congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and
setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported the following measures:
H.R. 4127, amended, Data Accountability and Trust Act (DATA); and H. Con. Res.
357, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness
Month.

DIGITAL CONTENT AND ENABLING TECHNOLOGY

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled "Digital Content and Enabling
Technology: Satisfying the 21st Century Consumer." Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

PUBLIC REPORTING OF HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTION RATES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Public Reporting of Hospital-Acquired Infection
Rates: Empowering Consumers, Saving Lives." Testimony was heard from Denise
Cardo, M.D., Chief, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; and
public witnesses.

FINANCIAL REPORTING TRANSPARENCY

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance,
and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled "Fostering
Accuracy and Transparency in Financial Reporting." Testimony was heard from
Scott Taub, Acting Chief Accountant, SEC; and public witnesses.

HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance
and Accountability and the Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and
Oversight of the Committee on Homeland Security held a joint hearing entitled
"Department of Homeland Security Information Technology Challenges and the
Future of eMerge." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Homeland Security: Eugene Schied, Acting Chief Financial
Officer; and Scott Charbo, Chief Information Officer; and the following
officials of the GAO: McCoy Williams, Director, Financial Management and
Assurance; and Randy Hite, Director, Information Technology Architecture and
Systems.

REORGANIZE DIRECTORATE FOR INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence,
Information-Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment approved for full Committee
action a measure To reorganize the Directorate for Information Analysis and
Infrastructure Protection of the Department of Homeland Security, to
facilitate homeland security information-sharing.

VIETNAM HUMAN RIGHTS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on Asia and the
Pacific held a joint hearing on The Human Rights Dialogue With Vietnam: Is
Vietnam Making Significant Progress? Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of State: Barry F. Lowenkron, Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; John V. Hanford III,
Ambassador-at-Large, Office of International Religious Freedom; and Eric John,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; and
public witnesses.

OFFSHORE BANKING

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Offshore Banking, Corruption, and the War on
Terrorism. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D297] 

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported H.R. 3049, Asian Carp Prevention
and Control Act.

The Committee began markup of H.R. 3509, Workplace Goods Job Growth and
Competitiveness Act of 2005.

OVERSIGHT--SMALL COPYRIGHT CLAIMS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held an oversight hearing on Remedies for Small
Copyright Claims. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 4200,
amended, Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act: H.J. Res. 78, Approving
the location of the commemorative work in the District of Columbia honoring
former President Dwight D. Eisenhower; H.R. 122, amended, Eastern Municipal
Water District Recycled Water System Pressurization and Expansion Project;
H.R. 413, amended, Bleeding Kansas National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 518,
amended, Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Improvement Act of 2005; H.R.
2563, amended, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct
feasibility studies to address certain water shortages with the Snake, Boise,
and Payette River systems in Idaho; H.R. 3418, amended, Central Texas Water
Recycling Act of 2005; H.R. 3462, amended, To provide for the conveyance of
the Bureau of Land Management parcels known as the White Acre and Gambel Oak
properties and related real property to Park City, Utah; H.R. 3682, To
redesignate the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia as the
Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge; H.R. 3967, Pactola
Reservoir Reallocation Authorization Act of 2005; H.R. 4013, To amend the
Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to provide for
conjunctive use of surface and groundwater in Juab County, Utah; H.R. 4080,
Glendo Unit of the Missouri River Basin Project Contract Extension Act of
2005; H.R. 4084, To amend the Forest Service use and occupancy permit program
to restore the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize the
special use permit fees collected by the Secretary in connection with the
establishment and operation of marinas in units of the National Forest System
derived from the public domain; H.R. 4204, American River Pump Station Project
Transfer Act of 2005; H.R. 4686, amended, Multi-State and International
Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 2006; S. 584, Betty Dick
Residence Protection Act; S. 1165, James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Expansion Act of 2005; S. 1869, Coastal Barrier Resources Reauthorization Act
of 2005; H.R. 374, amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to take
certain tribally-owned reservation land into trust for the Puyallup Tribe;
H.R. 1307, Musconetcong Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; and H.R. 2978, To allow
the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation to enter
into a lease or other temporary conveyance of water rights recognized under
the Fort Peck-Montana Compact for the purpose of meeting the water needs of
the Dry Prairie Water Association, Incorporated.

TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FEASIBILITY STUDY ACT OF 2005

Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 3350, Tribal Development
Corporation Feasibility Study Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

COLLEGE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule on H.R. 609,
College Access and Opportunity Act, providing for further consideration of the
bill. The rule provides that no further general debate is in order. The rule
makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report
accompanying this resolution. The rule provides that the amendments printed in
the report accompanying this resolution 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.

WORKFORCE GLOBALIZATION FINAL DRAFT REPORT

Committee on Science: Began markup of H. Res. 717, Directing the Secretary of
Commerce to transmit to the House of Representatives a copy of a workforce
globalization final draft report produced by the Technology Administration.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FUTURE

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
the Future of Air Traffic Control: The R&D Agenda. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Jeffrey Shane,
Under Secretary, Policy; Bob Pearce, Acting Director, Joint Planning and
Development Office, FAA; and David Dobbs, Assistant Inspector General,
Aviation and Special Projects; Lisa Porter, Associate Administrator, NASA;
Gerald Dillingham, Director, Civil Aviation Issues, GAO; and a public witness.

                                    [Page: D298] 

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
an oversight hearing on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the National
Airspace System. Testimony was heard from Nicholas Sabatini, Associate
Administrator, Aviation Safety, FAA, Department of Transportation; Michael
Kostelnik, Assistant Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, Office of
Air and Marine, Department of Homeland Security; the following officials of
the Department of Defense: Gerald F. Pease, Jr., Executive Director, Policy
Board on Federal Aviation; and Dyke D. Weatherington, Deputy, Unmanned Aerial
Systems Planning Task Force, Office of the Under Secretary, Acquisitions,
Technology and Logistics Defense Systems-Air Warfare; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--TRANSIT/BUS SECURITY

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Transit & Over-The-Road Bus
Security. Testimony was heard from Sandra K. Bushue, Deputy Administrator,
Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation; Tracy A. Henke,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Grants and Training, Department of Homeland
Security; JayEtta Z. Hecker, Director, Physical Infrastructure Team, GAO; and
public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--IMPROVE QUALITY CARE FOR OUR NATION's VETERANS

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on improving and
enhancing access to quality care for our nation's veterans through VISN-wide
care coordination demonstrations (Project HERO). Testimony was heard from
Representative Osborne; BG Michael J. Kussman, M.D., (ret.), Deputy Under
Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of
veterans organizations.



2006/03/30
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 30, 2006; pages D303 - D312
Committee Meetings

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural
Development, and Research held a hearing to review the Rural Development
Programs. Testimony was heard from Thomas C. Dorr, Under Secretary, Rural
Development, USDA; Mark Drabenstott, Vice President and Director, Center for
the Study of Rural America, Federal Reserve Bank, Kansas City, Missouri;
Cheryl L. Cook, Deputy Secretary, Marketing and Economic Development,
Department of Agriculture, State of Pennsylvania; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D308] 

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Research,
Education, and Economics. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the USDA: Merle D. Pierson, Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education and
Economics; Edward B. Knipling, Administrator, Agricultural Research Service;
Colien Hefferan, Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education and
Extension Service; Susan Offutt, Administrator, Economic Research Service; R.
Ronald Bosecker, Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service; and
W. Scott Steele, Budget Officer.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Avian Influenza. Testimony was heard
from Bruce Gillen, MD., Director, National Vaccine Program, and Jesse Goodman,
M.D., Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, both with the
Department of Health and Human Services; and the following officials of the
USDA: Mike Johanns, Secretary; Ron DeHaven, M.D., Administrator, Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service; and W. Scott Steele, Budget Officer.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on Navy/MC Budget/Acquisition. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Navy: Donald C. Winter,
Secretary, ADM Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; and GEN
Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

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

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Department of Labor, Health and
Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies continued appropriation
hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of
Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary,
District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on OMB.
Testimony was heard from Joel Kaplan, Deputy Director, OMB.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on DOE, National Nuclear Security
Administration. Testimony was heard from Linton F. Brooks, Under Secretary,
Nuclear Security and Administrator for National Nuclear Security
Administration, Department of Energy.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing
on Preparedness. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Homeland Security: George Foresman, Under Secretary, Directorate
of Preparedness; and Tracey Henke, Assistant Secretary, Office of Grants and
Training.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Native American Issues. Testimony was heard
from 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 NASA.
Testimony was heard from Michael D. Griffin, Administrator, NASA.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on FTC. Testimony was heard from Deborah
P. Majoras, Chairman, FTC.

NAVY SHIPBUILDING AND ACQUISITION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing
on the Department of the Navy's Fiscal Year 2007 shipbuilding acquisition
strategy and how it supports the Navy's long-range fleet plan. Testimony was
heard from Paul L. Francis, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management,
GAO; the following officials of the CBO: J. Michael Gilmore, Assistant
Director; and Eric J. Labs, Principal Analyst, both with the National Security
Division; the following officials of the Department of the Navy: Delores M.
Etter, Assistant Secretary, Research, Development and Acquisition; VADM Lewis
W. Crenshaw, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources,
Requirements and Assessments (N8); LTG James N. Mattis, USMC, Commanding
General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command and Deputy Commandant for
Combat Development; RADM David Architzel, USN, Program Executive Officer for
Carriers; RADM Charles S. Hamilton II, USN, Program Executive Officer for
Ships; and RADM William H. Hilarides, USN, Program Executive Officer for
Submarines, all with the Naval Sea Systems Command; Ronald O'Rourke,
Specialist in National Defense, Congressional Research Service, Library of
Congress; and a public witness.

                                    [Page: D309]   

ARMY/MARINE CORPS EQUIPMENT AND ROTOCRAFT

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness and the Subcommittee on
Tactical Air and Land Forces held a joint hearing on Army and Marine Corps
reset strategies for ground equipment and rotorcraft. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Defense: LTG David F. Melcher,
USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, U.S. Army; MG Jeanette K. Edmunds, USA,
Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, U.S. Army; and LTG Emersonardner, Jr.,
Deputy Commander of the Marine Corps, Programs and Resources, U.S. Marine
Corps; and William Solis, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management Team,
GAO.

COMMUNICATIONS OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTION, AND ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2006

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet held a hearing on the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and
Enhancement Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--HUD

Committee on Financial Services: Held an oversight hearing of the Department
of Housing and Urban Development, including the Department's budget request
for fiscal year 2007. Testimony was heard from Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
4368, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
60 Calle McKinley, West in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, as the "Miguel Angel Garcia
Mendez Post Office Building"; HR. 4561, To designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 8624 Ferguson Road in Dallas, Texas,
as the "Francisco 'Pancho' Medrano Post Office Building"; H.R. 4586, Benjamin
Franklin Tercentenary Commission Act of 2005; H.R. 4646, To designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7320 Reseda Boulevard
in Reseda, California, as the "Coach John Wooden Post Office Building"; H.R.
4811, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
215 West Industrial Park Road in Harrison, Arkansas, as the "John Paul
Hammerschmidt Post Office Building"; H.R. 4995, To designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 7 Columbus Avenue in Tuckahoe, New
York, as the "Ronald Bucca Post Office"; H.R. 518, Honoring professional
surveyors and recognizing their contributions to society; and H. Res. 737,
Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month.

DISASTER RESPONSE INFORMATION-SHARING

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "The Need To Know:
Information-Sharing Lessons for Disaster Response." Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Defense: Peter F. Verga,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Homeland Defense; and Linton Wells II,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Networks and Information Integration;
Vance Hitch, Chief Information Officer, Department of Justice; and public
witnesses.

BRIEFING--AIRLINE PASSENGER PRESCREENING WATCHLIST

Committee on Homeland Security: Met in executive session to receive a briefing
on the Transportation Security Administration airline passenger prescreening
watchlist. The Committee was briefed by Donna Bucella, Director, Terrorist
Screening, FBI, Department of Justice; and Michael Resnick, Chief, Terrorist
Identities Group, National Counter Terrorism Center, Office of the Director of
National Intelligence.

SAFE PORT ACT

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity approved for full committee
action, as amended, H.R. 4954, SAFE Port Act.

                                    [Page: D310] 

SHOULDER-FIRED MISSILES TERRORIST THREAT

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism
and Nonproliferation held a hearing on The Terrorist Threat From
Shoulder-Fired Missiles. Testimony was heard from John Hillen, Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State.

LATIN AMERICA COUNTERNARCOTICS STRATEGIES

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
held a hearing on Counternarcotics Strategies in Latin America. Testimony was
heard from Anne W. Patterson, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Department of State; Michael A. Braun,
Chief of Operations, DEA, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held an oversight hearing on the 10th anniversary of the Congressional Review
Act. Testimony was heard from J. Christopher Mihm, Managing Director,
Strategic Issues, GAO; Morton Rosenberg, Specialist in American Public Law,
American Law Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress;
John V. Sullivan, Parliamentarian, U.S. House of Representatives; and a public
witness.

DEATH PENALTY REFORM ACT OF 2006

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held a hearing on H.R. 5040, Death Penalty Reform Act of 2006.
Testimony was heard from Margaret P. Griffey, Chief, Capital Case Unit,
Criminal Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--WORK VISA INCREASES

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims held an oversight hearing on Should Congress Raise the H-1B Cap?
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 2134, Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a
National Museum of the American Latino Community Act of 2005; H.R. 3961, To
authorize the National Park Service to pay for services rendered by
subcontractors under a General Services Administration Indefinite
Deliver/Indefinite Quantity Contract issued for work to be completed at Grand
Canyon National Park; and H.R. 4294, Natural Resource Protection Cooperative
Agreement Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Becerra, Ros-Lehtinen,
Renzi, and Porter; Michael Soukup, Associate Director, Natural Resource
Stewardship and Science, National Park Service, Department of the Interior;
and a public witness.

LOBBYING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2006

Committee on Rules: Held a hearing on H.R. 4975, Lobbying Accountability and
Transparency Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Representatives Shays,
Buyer, Kirk, Schmidt, Obey, Frank of Massachusetts, Cardin, Price of North
Carolina, Meehan, Blumenauer, Doggett, Allen, Baird, Emanuel, and Bean.

K-12 SCIENCE AND MATH EDUCATION

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on K-12 Science and Math Education Across
the Federal Agencies. Testimony was heard from Margaret Spellings, Secretary
of Education; Arden Bement, Director, NSF; John J. Kelly, Deputy Under
Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and James
Decker, Principal Deputy Director, Office of Science, Department of Energy.

SBA PROCUREMENT ASSISTANCE

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight
held an oversight hearing on the procurement assistance programs of the SBA.
Testimony was heard from Anthony Martoccia, Associate Deputy Administrator,
Office of Government Contracting and Business Development, SBA; and public
witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; GSA'S FY 2007 CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND LEASING PROGRAM

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management approved for full
Committee action the following: GSA's Fiscal Year 2007 Capital Investment and
Leasing Program; H. Con. Res. 360, Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds
for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service; H. Con. Res. 359,
Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia
Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run; and H. Con. Res. 349, Authorizing
the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby, 10
a.m., 2253 Rayburn.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the General Services Administration's
Fiscal Year 2006 Capital Investment and Leasing Program. Testimony was heard
from David L. Winstead, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, GSA.

                                    [Page: D311] 

OVERSIGHT--BARRIERS TO CLEANUP OF ABANDONED MINE SITES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held an oversight hearing on Barriers to the Cleanup
of Abandoned Mine Sites. Testimony was heard from Benjamin H. Grumbles,
Assistant Administrator, Water, EPA; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY/AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing on policy and operational issues
facing Arlington National Cemetery and the American Battle Monuments
Commission. Testimony was heard from John C. Metzler, Jr., Superintendent,
Arlington National Cemetery; and John W. Nicholson, Secretary, American Battle
Monuments Commission.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HIGH-RISK ISSUES

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued
hearings on Social Security number (SSN) high-risk issues. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Dreier and Reyes; Cynthia M. Fagnoni, Managing Director,
Education, Workforce, and Income Security, GAO; Joel Winston, Associate
Director, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, Bureau of Consumer
Protection, FTC; and public witnesses.

INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session and
ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5020, Intelligence Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2007.



2006/03/31
Daily Digest - Friday, March 31, 2006, pages D314 - D320

Committee Meetings

SILICOSIS STORY

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
continued hearings entitled "The Silicosis Story: Mass Tort Screening and the
Public Health." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.



2006/04/03
Daily Digest - Monday, April 3, 2006; pages D322 - D326

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held. 



2006/04/04
Daily Digest - Tuesday, April 4, 2006; pages D328 - D336

Committee Meetings

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Departments of Transportation,
Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of
Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the Supreme Court.
Testimony was heard from the following Associate Justices of the Supreme
Court: Anthony M. Kennedy; and Clarence Thomas.

                                    [Page: D332] 

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, Foreign
Assistance Programs. Testimony was heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of
State.

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 Defense Health
Program. Testimony was heard from the following Surgeon Generals, Department
of Defense: LTG Kevin Kiley, U.S. Army Medical Command; VADM Donald C. Arthur,
U.S. Navy; and LTG George P. Taylor, U.S. Marine Corps.

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 Office of
Science and Technology Policy. Testimony was heard from John H. Marburger,
III, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy.

GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR AND BEYOND

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on improving interagency
coordination for the Global War on Terror and beyond. Testimony was heard from
ADM Edmund P. Giambastiani, USN, Vice-Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff,
Department of Defense; Ambassador Henry A. Crumpton, Coordinator for
Counterterrorism, Department of State; VADM John Scot Redd, USN (Ret.),
Director, National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the National
Intelligence Director; and Thomas W. O'Connell, Assistant Secretary, Special
Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, Department of Defense.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--FUTURE COMBAT/FORCE PROTECTION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held
a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization budget
request--Future Combat Systems, Modularity, and Force Protection Initiatives.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GAO: Paul L. Francis,
Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management; and Janet St. Laurent,
Director, Defense Capabilities and Management; Mike Gilmore, Assistant
Director, National Security, CBO; the following officials of the Department of
the Army: Claude M. Bolton, Assistant Secretary (Acquisition, Logistics and
Technology); LTG David F. Melcher, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, Army G8
(Programming, Material Integration and Management); and LTG James J. Lovelace,
USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, Army G3/5/7 (Operations and Requirements); LTG
James N. Mattis, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development
Command; and MG William D. Catto, USMC, Commander, Marine Corps Systems
Command, both with the Department of the Navy.

INTERNET CHILD PREDATORS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Sexual Exploitation of Children Over the Internet:
What Parents, Kids, and Congress Need To Know About Child Predators."
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

In refusing to give testimony at this hearing, Ken Gourlay invoked Fifth
Amendment privileges.

Hearings continue April 6.

VISA PROCESSING DELAYS

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "The Impact of Visa
Processing Delays on the Arts, Education, and American Innovation." Testimony
was heard from Tony Edson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Visa Services,
Department of State; Jess T. Ford, Director, International Affairs and Trade,
GAO; and public witnesses.

MANAGING AIRPORT SECURITY

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization held a hearing entitled "Travel vs. Terrorism: Federal Workforce
Issues in Managing Airport Security." Testimony was heard from Cathleen
Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, GAO; Robert Jamison, Deputy
Secretary, Operations, Transportation Security Administration, Department of
Homeland Security; Kathy Dillaman, Deputy Associate Director, Center for
Federal Investigative Services, OPM; and a public witness.

NUCLEAR SECURITY

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "Nuclear Security:
Has the NRC Strengthened Facility Standards Since 9/11?" Testimony was heard
from Jim Wells, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; Nils Diaz,
Chairman, NRC; Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General, State of Connecticut; and
public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D333] 

SAFE PORT ACT

Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing on H.R. 4954, SAFE Port Act.
Testimony was heard from Michael P. Jackson, Deputy Secretary, Department of
Homeland Security; Bethann Rooney, Manager of Port Security, Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey; and public witnesses.

GOVERNMENT-ACQUIRED PERSONAL INFORMATION

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
and the Subcommittee on Constitution held a joint oversight hearing entitled
"Personal Information Acquired by the Government From Information Resellers:
Is There Need for Improvement?" Testimony was heard from Linda D. Koontz,
Director, Information Management Issues, GAO; Maureen Cooney, Acting Chief
Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

LOBBYING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.R. 4975, Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Rules: H. Con. Res. 376, Establishing the congressional budget
for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and setting forth
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

Testimony was heard from Chairman Nussle and Representatives Spratt, Cooper,
Scott of Virginia, and Jackson-Lee of Texas; action deferred.

527 REFORM ACT OF 2005

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 3, a closed rule providing one
hour of debate in the House on H.R. 513, 527 Reform Act of 2005, equally
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on House Administration. 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 House Administration now
printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in the Rules Committee
report accompanying the resolution, shall be considered as adopted. The rule
waives all points of order against the bill as amended. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Testimony was heard from Chairman Ehlers and Representatives Shays, Pence,
Dent and Jackson-Lee of Texas.

OVERSIGHT--RELIABILITY OF HIGHWAY TRUST FUND REVENUE ESTIMATES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Reliability of Highway
Trust Fund Revenue Estimates. Testimony was heard from Robert Carroll, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Tax Analysis, Department of the Treasury; Donald Marron,
Acting Director, CBO; and Katherine Siggerud, Director, Physical
Infrastructure Issues, GAO.



2006/04/05
Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 5, 2006; pages D337 - D350

Committee Meetings

FOREST EMERGENCY RECOVERY AND RESEARCH ACT

Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4200, Forest
Emergency Recovery and Research Act.

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of
Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary,
District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the
Department of the Treasury. Testimony was heard from John W. Snow, Secretary
of the Treasury.

The Subcommittee held a hearing on the Federal Judiciary. Testimony was heard
from Julia Smith Gibbons, U.S. Circuit Court Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Sixth District; and Leoniodas Ralph Mecham, Director, Administrative
Office of the U.S. Courts.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on DOE Energy Supply and Conservation, Fossil
Energy. Testimony was heard from David Garman, Under Secretary, Science and
Environment, Department of Energy.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on National Park Service. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the National Park Service, Department of the
Interior: Fran Mainella, Director, Steve Martin, Deputy Director; and Bruce
Shaeffer, Comptroller.

                                    [Page: D344] 

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 BRAC 2005
Implementation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Keith Eastin, Assistant Secretary, Installations and
Environment, Department of the Army; B.J. Penn, Assistant Secretary,
Installations and Environment, Department of the Navy; and William C.
Anderson, Assistant Secretary, Installations, Environment and Logistics,
Department of the Air Force.

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
Department of Commerce. Testimony was heard from Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary
of Commerce.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the State International Organizations.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State:
Kristen L. Silverberg, Assistant Secretary, International Affairs; and John R.
Bolton, Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

MAJOR DEFENSE ACQUISITION REFORMS INITIATIVES

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing to review major defense
acquisition reform initiatives. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: ADM Edmund P. Giambastiani, USN, Vice
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; David Patterson, Under Secretary,
Comptroller; and Kenneth Krieg, Under Secretary, Acquisition, Technology and
Logistics; and David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO.

U.S. SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRIAL BASE

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing
on the U.S. Shipbuilding Industrial Base. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Gary Powell, Acting Deputy
Under Secretary (Industrial Policy); Allison Stiller, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Ships, Department of the Navy; VADM Paul E. Sullivan, USN,
Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command; and RADM Charles S. Hamilton, II, USN,
Program Executive Officer for Ships, Naval Sea Systems Command; Mark L.
Montroll, Professor, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense
University; and public witnesses.

MILITARY READINESS--SERVICES CONTRACTING'S IMPACT

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on
service contracting's impact on military readiness. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Defense: Claude M. Bolton, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary, Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, Department of the
Army; LG Donald J. Hoffman, USAF, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Air Force, Acquisition; and Ronald Poussard, Air Force
Program Executive Officer, Combat Mission Support.

DOE NUCLEAR WEAPONS COMPLEX INFRASTRUCTURE

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
on future plans for the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons complex
infrastructure. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Energy: Tom D'Agostino, Deputy Administrator, Defense Programs,
National Nuclear Security Administration; and Charles Anderson, Principal
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Environmental Management; and public
witnesses.

WMD THREAT REDUCTION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on implementing the 2006 Quadrennial Defense
Review (QDR) recommendations to combat weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Peter Flory, Assistant Secretary, International Security Policy; and James A.
Tegnelia, Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Director, U.S. Strategic
Command Center, Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (SCC--WMD).

COMMUNICATIONS OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTION, AND ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2006

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet approved for full Committee action, as amended, the Communications
Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006.

DUBAI PORTS WORLD DOCUMENTS

Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H. Res. 718,
Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to
provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in their possession
relating to the Dubai Ports World acquisition of six United States ports
leases.

                                    [Page: D345] 

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK REAUTHORIZATION

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee Domestic and International
Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing entitled
"Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States." Testimony
was heard from James H. Lambright, Chairman and Acting President,
Export-Import Bank of the United States.

FHA TRANSFORMATION

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity held a hearing entitled "Transforming the Federal Housing
Administration for the 21st Century." Testimony was heard from Brian
Montgomery, Assistant Secretary, Housing/Federal Housing Commission,
Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses.

WESTERN STATES WATER MANAGEMENT

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a
hearing entitled: Conjunctive Water Management: A Solution to the West's
Growing Water Demand?" Testimony was heard from Jason Peltier, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Water and Science, Department of the Interior; and public
witnesses.

FEDERAL AGENCY PAYMENTS OVERSIGHT

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Finance, and Accountability held a hearing entitled "The Improper Payments
Information Act--Are Agencies Meeting the Requirements of the Law?" Testimony
was heard from Linda Combs, Controller, Office of Federal Financial
Management, OMB; Charles E. Johnson, Assistant Secretary, Budget, Technology,
and Finance, Department of Health and Human Services; and McCoy Williams,
Director, Financial Management and Assurance, GAO.

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs held a
hearing entitled "The Sarbanes-Oxley Act Four Years Later: What Have We
Learned?" Testimony was heard from Representatives Feeney, Kirk and Meeks of
New York; and public witnesses.

U.S.-INDIA GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the U.S.-India Global
Partnership. Testimony was heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State.

LOBBYING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended,: H.R. 4975, Lobbying
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.

PATENT QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held an oversight hearing entitled "Patent Quality
Enhancement in the Information-Based Economy." Testimony was heard from Jon W.
Dudas, Under Secretary, Intellectual Property and Director, U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.

INTERNET GAMBLING PROHIBITION ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland
Security held a hearing on H.R. 4777, Internet Gambling Prohibition Act
Testimony was heard from Representative Goodlatte; Bruce Ohr, Chief, Organized
Crime and Racketeering Section, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.

INDIAN GAMING RESTRICTIONS

Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 4893, to amend section 20 of
the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to restrict off-reservation gaming. Testimony
was heard from Fulton Sheen, Representative, State of Michigan, JoAnn D.
Osmond, Representative State of Illinois; and public witnessers.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a
hearing on the following bills: H.R. 5025, Mount Hood Stewardship Legacy Act;
H.R. 5016, Las Cienegas Enhancement Act; and H.R. 3534, Piedras Blancas
Historic Light Station Outstanding Natural Area Act of 2005. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Kolbe and Capps; Tom Lonnie, Assistant Director,
Minerals, Realty, and Resource Protection, Bureau of Land Management,
Department of the Interior; Matt Garrett, Director, Department of
Transportation, State of Oregon; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--WATER AND POWER SUPPLIES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing entitled "The Bureau of Reclamation's 21st Century Challenges in
Managing, Protecting and Developing Water and Power Supplies." Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Mark A.
Limbaugh, Assistant Secretary, Water and Science; and John Keys, III,
Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D346] 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FY 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule providing for general
debate only on H. Con. Res. 376, a concurrent resolution establishing the
congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and
setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 through 2011.
The rule provides 4 hours of general debate, with 3 hours equally divided and
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the
Budget, and 1 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 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.

LOBBYING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2006

Committee on Rules: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4975, Lobbying
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.

SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule
XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from
the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any special rule reported
on the legislative day of April 6, 2006, providing for consideration of the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 376) establishing the congressional budget
for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and setting forth
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

WORKPLACE GLOBALIZATION REPORT

Committee on Science: Ordered adversely reported without recommendation H.
Res. 717, Directing the Secretary of Commerce to transmit to the House of
Representatives a copy of a workforce globalization final draft report
produced by the Technology Administration.

SMALL BUSINESS TAX ENFORCEMENT

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "IRS Latest Enforcement:
Is the Bulls-eye on Small Businesses?" Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the IRS, Department of the Treasury; Mark W. Everson,
Commissioner; and Kevin Brown, Commissioner, Small Business/Self-Employed
Division Internal; Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel, Office of Advocacy, SBA;
and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following
measures: H. Con. Res. 235, Expressing the sense of the Congress that States
should require candidates for driver's licenses to demonstrate an ability to
exercise greatly increased caution when driving in the proximity of a
potentially visually impaired individual; H. Con. Res. 349, Authorizing the
use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby; H. Con.
Res. 359, Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of
Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run; H. Con. Res. 372,
amended, Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Interstate Highway System;
H.R. 3858, Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2005; H.R.
4880, amended, Maritime Terminal Security Enhancement Act of 2006; H.R. 5076,
National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of 2006; and H.R. 5074,
Railroad Retirement Technical Improvement Act of 2006.

The Committee also approved the following: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Survey
Resolutions; and GSA Capital Investment and Leasing Program Resolutions.

U.S.-OMAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on implementation of the United
States-Oman Free Trade Agreement. Testimony was heard from Susan Schwab,
Deputy U.S. Trade Representative; and public witnesses.

PUBLIC BENEFIT PROGRAM TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
the use of technology to improve public benefit programs. Testimony was heard
from Diane Ruth, Chair and Commissioner, Public Workforce Commission, State of
Texas; Marketa Gautreau, Assistant Secretary, Community Services, Department
of Social Services, State of Louisiana; Don Winstead, Deputy Secretary,
Department of Children and Families, State of Florida; Lisa Henley, Project
Director, EBT Project, Department of Human Services, State of Oklahoma; and
Dennis Fecci, former Chief Information Officer, Human Resources
Administration, New York City.  



2006/04/06
Daily Digest - Thursday, April 6, 2006; pages D351 - D362

Committee Meetings

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 NIH.
Testimony was heard from Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., Director, NIH, Department of
Health and Human Services.

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of
Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary,
District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the District
of Columbia. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the District
of Columbia: Anthony Williams, Mayor; Natwar Gamdi, Chief Financial Officer;
and Linda Cropp, Chairman, Council.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Oversight of DOE's Waste Treatment Plant at
Hanford. Testimony was heard from Gene Aloise, Director, Natural Resources and
Environment, GAO; Kim Callan, Chief of the Cost of Engineering Directory of
Expertise and the Project Manager of the Independent Review Team, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers; James A. Rispoli, Assistant Secretary, Environmental
Management; Department of Energy; A.J. Eggenberger, Chairman, Defense Nuclear
Facilities Safety Board; and a public witness.

HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing
on Secure Border Initiative/Immigrations Custom Enforcement/Customs Border
Protection. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Homeland Security: Gregg Giddens, Director, Secure Border Initiative
Office; Deborah Spero, Acting Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection
Commission; and Julie Myers, Assistant Secretary, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement.

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 Veterans Affairs.
Testimony was heard from R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

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 DEA.
Testimony was heard from Karen P. Tandy, Administrator, DEA, Department of
Justice.

The Subcommittee also continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard
from Members of Congress.

MILITARY, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing
on policy, compensation, and benefits overview. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: David S.C. Chu, Under
Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; LTG Franklin L. Hagenbeck, USA, Deputy
Chief of Staff, Personnel, G1, Department of the Army; VADM John C. Harvey,
USN, Chief of Naval Personnel, Department of the Navy; LTG Roger A. Brady,
USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, A1, Department of the Air Force; and
LTG H.P. Osman, USMC, Deputy Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps.

                                    [Page: D358] 

NAVY'S ENERGY-EFFICIENT PROPULSION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing
on Integration of Energy-Efficient Propulsion Systems for Future U.S. Navy
Vessels. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
the Navy: RADM Bernard J. McCullough, USN, Director, Surface Warfare (N86);
RADM Joseph A. Walsh, USN, Director, Submarine Warfare Division (N87); RADM
William E. Landay, III, USN, Chief of Naval Research; and RADM Kevin McCoy,
USN, Deputy Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, Ship Design, Integration and
Engineering; Ronald O'Rourke, Specialist in National Defense, Congressional
Research Service, Library of Congress; and a public witness.

NAVY TRANSFORMATION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on Navy
Transformation. Testimony was heard from John Jamian, Acting Administrator,
Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation; and VADM Justin D.
McCarthy, USN, Director, Material Readiness and Logistics, Department of the
Navy.

DEFENSE UAVS/SURVEILLANCE

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held
a hearing on Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization budget
request--Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance (ISR) Capabilities. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the GAO: Sharon Pickup, Director, Defense Capabilities and
Management; and Michael J. Sullivan, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing
Management; and the following officials of the Department of Defense: Lolita
Long, Deputy Under Secretary, (Policy, Requirements, and Resources); BG
Stephen Mundt, USA, Army Director of Aviation, Office of the Deputy Chief of
Staff for Operations; RADM Bruce Clingan, USN, Deputy Director, Naval Air
Warfare Division; LTG John G. Castellaw, USMC, Deputy Commandant, Aviation,
U.S. Marine Corps; and MG Stanley Gorenc, USAF, Director, Operational
Capability Requirements, U.S. Air Force.

DEFENSE IT/TRANSFORMATION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on information technology issues and defense
transformation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: John J. Grimes, Assistant Secretary (Networks and
Information Integration); LTG Charlie Croom, USAF, Director, Defense
Information Systems Agency; LTG Steven W. Boutelle, USA, Chief Information
Officer, Department of the Army; Dave Wennergren, Chief Information Officer,
Department of the Navy; BG George J. Allen, USMC, Chief Information Officer,
U.S. Marine Corps; LTG Michael Petersen, USAF, Chief Information Officer,
Department of the Air Force; Paul Brinkley, Deputy Under Secretary, Business
Transformation; and Thomas Modly, Deputy Under Secretary, Financial
Management, both with the Business Transformation Agency.

U.S. COMPETITIVENESS

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled "Building
America's Competitiveness: Examining What Is Needed To Compete in a Global
Economy." Testimony was heard from Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor;
Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education; and public witnesses.

PROJECT BIOSHIELD REAUTHORIZATION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Project Bioshield Reauthorization Issues." Testimony was heard from
Alex M. Azar, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services; and
Jean D. Reed, Special Assistant, Chemical and Biological Defense and Chemical
Demilitarization Programs, Office of the Assistant to the Secretary, Nuclear
and Chemical Biological Defense, Department of Defense, and public witnesses.

INTERNET CHILD PREDATORS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
continued hearings entitled "Sexual Exploitation of Children Over the
Internet: What Parents, Kids, and Congress Need To Know About Child
Predators." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Justice: William W. Mercer, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General,
U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana; Frank Kardasz, Sgt Phoenix Police
Department, Project Director, Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task
Force; and Flint Waters, Lead Special Agent, Wyoming Division of Criminal
Investigation, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Technology Center;
and Chris Swecker, Acting Assistant Executive Director, FBI; James Plitt,
Director, Cyber Crimes Center, Office of Investigations; and John P. Clark,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, both with the U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; and the following officials of
the Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Postal Service: William E. Kezer, Deputy
Chief Inspector; and Raymond C. Smith, Assistant Inspector in Charge, Child
Pornography and Adult Obscenity; and a public witness.

                                    [Page: D359] 

FOREIGN COUNTER-TERRORISM ASSISTANCE

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Counter-Terrorism Financing Foreign Training and
Assistance: Progress since 9/11." Testimony was heard from David M. Walker,
Comptroller, GAO; Gerald M. Feierstein, Deputy Coordinator, Programs and
Plans, Department of State; William Larry McDonald, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Technical Assistance Policy, Department of the Treasury; and Barry
M. Sabin, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
4975, amended, Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006; and H.R.
5112, Executive Branch Reform Act of 2006.

The Committee also approved the following Investigative Reports:
"Strengthening Disease Surveillance" and "Updating Nuclear Security Standards:
How Long Can the Department of Energy Afford To Wait?"

INTERNATIONAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Looking a Gift Horse
in the Mouth: A Post-Katrina Review of International Disaster Assistance."
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Scott Rowell, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Defense for Homeland Security
(Strategy, Plans, and Resources); and Davi M. D'Agostino, Director, Defense
Capabilities and Management; the following officials of the Department of
State: Deborah McCarthy, Director, Hurricane Katrina Task Force Working Group;
and Gregory C. Gottlieb, Acting Director, Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster
Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development; Casey Long, Acting
Director, Office of International Affairs, FEMA, Department of Homeland
Security; and Hudson LaForce, Senior Counsel to the Secretary, Department of
Education.

HOMELAND SECURITY AND PERSONAL PRIVACY

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled "Protection of
Privacy in the DHS Intelligence Enterprise." Testimony was heard from Maureen
Cooney, Acting Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security; and
public witnesses.

BRIEFING--NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and
Technology met in executive session to receive a briefing on the
implementation plan for the President's National Strategy for Pandemic
Influenza. The Subcommittees were briefed by departmental witnesses.

LOBBYING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT

Committee on House Administration: Ordered reported H.R. 4975, Lobbying
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.

PALESTINIAN ANTI-TERRORISM ACT; RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING SUCCESSFUL
COMPLETION OF THE WINTER OLYMPICS

Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4681,
Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006.

The Committee also approved a motion urging the chairman to request that the
following resolution be considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Res. 697,
Congratulating the people and Government of Italy, the Torino Olympic
Organizing Committee, the International Olympic Committee, the United States
Olympic Committee, the 2006 United States Olympic Team, and all international
athletes upon the successful completion of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in
Turin, Italy.

ARCHBISHOP OCAMPO KILLING; MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

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. 4423, Ethiopia Consolidation Act of
2005; and H. Res. 608, Condemning the escalating levels of religious
persecution in the People's Republic of China.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on An End to Impunity: Investigating the
1993 Killing of Mexican Archbishop Juan Jesus Posadas Ocampo. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D360]   

TERRORISM AND BORDER SECURITY

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism
and Nonproliferation held a hearing on Checking Terrorism at the Border.
Testimony was heard from Michael J. Maxwell, former Director, Office of
Security and Investigations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Department of Homeland Security; and a public witness.

SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DOCUMENTS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on the Iraqi Documents: A Glimpse Into the
Regime of Saddam Hussein. Testimony was heard from Daniel Butler, Senior
Advisor to the Deputy Director of National Intelligence Open Source, Office of
the Director of National Intelligence; and the following officials of the
Joint Forces Command, Department of Defense: BG Anthony A. Cucolo, III, USA,
Director, Joint Center for Operational Analysis; and LTC Kevin M. Woods, USA
(Ret.), Project Leader and Principal Author of Iraqi Perspective Project; and
a public witness.

OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing entitled "The United
States Department of Justice." Testimony was heard from Alberto Gonzales, the
Attorney General, Department of Justice.

FUELING RENEWABLE AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IN AMERICA--ROLE OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND FEDERAL LANDS

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing on the Role of the Federal Government and Federal Lands in
Fueling Renewable and Alternative Energy in America. Testimony was heard from
Wayne Arny, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations and Facilities,
Department of the Navy; Leland Roy Mink, Manager, Office of Geothermal
Technology, Department of Energy; Marcia Patton-Mallory, National Biomass and
Bio-Energy Coordinator, Forest Service, USDA; and Brenda Aird, Ombudsman for
Renewable Energy, Department of the Interior.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held a hearing on
the following bills: H.R. 138, to revise the boundaries of John H. Chafee
Coastal Barrier Resources System Jekyll Island Unit GA-06P; H.R. 479, To
replace a Coastal Barrier Resources System map relating to Coastal Barrier
Resources System Grayton Beach Unit FL-95P in Walton County, Florida; H.R.
1656, To correct maps depicting Unit T-10 of the John H. Chafee Coastal
Barrier Resources System; H.R. 3280, To exempt certain coastal barrier areas
in Florida from Limitations on Federal expenditures and financial assistance
under the Coastal Barriers Resources Act, and limitations on flood insurance
coverage under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968; and H.R. 4165, to
clarify the boundaries of Coastal Barrier Resources System Clam Pass Unit
FL-64P. Testimony was heard from Representatives Kingston and Mack; Mamie
Parker, Assistant Director, Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE VISITATION TRENDS

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight
hearing on Visitation Trends in the National Park System. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the National Park Service, Department of the
Interior: Marcia Blaszak, Regional Director, Alaska Region; and Pat Hooks,
Regional Director, Southeast Region; Mike Cerletti, Secretary of Tourism,
State of New Mexico; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--CALIFORNIA WATER SUPPLIES

Commitee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing entitled "Protecting Sacramento/San Joaquin Bay-Delta Water Supplies
and Responding to Catastrophic Failures in California Water Deliveries."
Testimony was head from BG Joseph Schroedel, USA, Commander and Division
Engineer, South Pacific Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; William Lokey,
Operations Branch Chief, Response Division, FEMA, Department of Homeland
Security; Kirk Rodgers, Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region, Bureau of
Reclamation, Department of the Interior; Lester Snow, Director, Department of
Water Resources, State of California; and public witnesses.

GLOBAL NUCLEAR ENERGY PARTNERSHIP

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on Assessing the
Goals, Schedule, and Costs of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership. Testimony
was heard from Shane Johnson, Deputy Director, Technology, Office of Nuclear
Energy Science and Technology, Department of Energy; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D361] 

SMALL HEALTHCARE GROUPS/ELECTRONIC RECORDS

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight
held a hearing entitled "Can Small Healthcare Groups Feasibly Adopt Electronic
Medical Records Technology?" Testimony was heard from Representative Gingrey;
and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL LEVEE SAFETY PROGRAM ACT

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held an oversight hearing on H.R. 4650, National
Levee Safety Program Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from MG Don T. Riley,
USA Director, Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and public witnesses

VETERANS LEGISLATION

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs held a hearing on the following measures: H.R. 23, Belated
Thank You to the Merchant Marines of World War II Act of 2005; H.R. 601,
Native American Veterans Cemetery Act of 2005; H.R. 2188, To amend title 38,
United States Code, to authorize the placement in a national cemetery of
memorial markers for the purpose of commemorating service members or other
persons whose remains are interred in an American Battle Monuments Commission
cemetery; H.R. 2963, Dr. James Allen Disabled Veterans Equity Act; H.R. 4843,
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006; H.R. 5037,
Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act; and H.R. 5038, To amend title 38,
United States Code, to extend and expand the application of the Department of
Veterans Affairs benefit for Government markers for marked graves of veterans
buried in private cemeteries and to provide Government markers or memorial
headstones for deceased dependent children of veterans whose remains are
unavailable for burial. Testimony was heard from Representatives Rogers of
Michigan, Chabot, Reyes, Filner, Baldwin, Langevin, and Udall of New Mexico;
William F. Tuerk, Under Secretary, Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; John C. Metzler, Jr.,
Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, Department of the Army; and
representatives of veterans organizations.

HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on health
information technology (IT). Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Health and Human Services: David Brailer, M.D.,
Technology Coordinator; and Lewis Morris, Chief Counsel to the Inspector
General; and public witnesses.

TAX SEASON/IRS BUDGET

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on the
2006 tax return filing season, the Internal Revenue Service budget for fiscal
year 2007, and other issues in tax administration. Testimony was heard from of
the Department of the Treasury: Mark W. Everson, Commissioner, IRS; and J.
Russell George, Inspector General, Tax Administration; Raymond T. Wagner,
Chairman, Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board; James R. White, Director,
Tax Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS

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



2006/04/07
Daily Digest - Friday, April 7, 2006; pages D363 - D366

Committee Meetings

FOREIGN MILITARY FORCES BUILDING CAPACITY

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on building the capacity of
foreign military forces. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Defense: Ambassador Eric S. Edelman, Under Secretary,
Policy; and GEN James L. Jones, USMC, Commander, U.S. European Command; and
John Hillen, Assistant Secretary, Political-Military Affairs, Department of
State.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS TV COVERAGE

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Out at Home: Why Most
Nats Fans Can't See Their Team on TV." Testimony was heard from Mayor Anthony
Williams, District of Columbia; Peter V. Franchot, Delegate, Maryland House of
Delegates; Douglas M. Duncan, Montgomery County Executive, State of Maryland;
Sean Connaughton, Chairman, Prince William County Board of Supervisors, State
of Virginia; Bob Dupuy, President and Chief Operating Officer, Major League
Baseball; Peter Angelos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Baltimore
Orioles; David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation; Gary
McCollum, Vice President and Regional Manager, Cox Northern Virginia; and Ian
Koski, Editor NationalsPride.Com. 

                                    [Page: D366]



2006/04/24
Daily Digest - Monday, April 24, 2006; pages D368 - D374

Committee Meetings

HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA

Committee on International Relations: On April 19, the Subcommittee on Africa,
Global Human Rights and International Operations held a hearing entitled
"Human Rights in China: Improving or Deteriorating Conditions?" Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.



2006/04/25
Daily Digest - Tuesday, April 25, 2006; pages D375 - D382

Committee Meetings

SAVING AMERICA'S RURAL HOUSING ACT OF 2006

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity held a hearing on H.R. 5039, Saving America's Rural Housing Act of
2006. Testimony was heard from Russell T. Davis, Administrator, Rural
Development Housing and Community Facilities Programs, USDA; and public
witnesses.

YUCCA MOUNTAIN

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization held a hearing entitled "Yucca Mountain: Broken Management,
Broken Quality Assurance, Broken Project." Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Energy: Paul Golan, Acting Director,
Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management; and Gregory Friedman,
Inspector General; Margaret Federline, Deputy Director, Office of Nuclear
Material Safety and Safeguards, NRC; and Jim Wells, Director, Natural
Resources and Environment, GAO.

A NEW ASSESSMENT OF IRAQ

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "A New Assessment
of Iraq." Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO.

STATE OF INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Science and Technology held a hearing entitled "The State of Interoperable
Communications: Perspectives on Federal Coordination of Grants, Standards and
Technology." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Homeland Security: Tracy A. Henke, Assistant Secretary, Office
of Grants and Training; and David G. Boyd, Director, Office for
Interoperability and Compatibility, both with the Directorate of Preparedness;
the following officials of the Department of Commerce: John Kneuer, Acting
Assistant Secretary, National Telecommunications and Information
Administration; and Dereck Orr, Program Manager, Public Safety Communications
System, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Kenneth P. Moran,
Director, Office of Homeland Security, FCC; the following officials of the
Department of Justice: Carl Peed, Executive Director, Office of Community
Oriented Policing Services; and John Morgan, Assistant Director, Science and
Technology, National Institute of Justice; and public witnesses.

NETWORK NEUTRALITY

Committee on the Judiciary: Task Force on Telecom and Antitrust held an
oversight hearing on Network Neutrality: Competition, Innovation and
Nondiscriminatory Access. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing one
hour of general debate on H.R. 5020, to authorize appropriations for fiscal
year 2007 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United
States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central
Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes,
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. 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 Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence 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 waives
all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute
recommended by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. 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 accompanying the resolution 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 Rules
Committee report. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or
without instructions. 



2006/04/26
Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 26, 2006; pages D384 - D394

Committee Meetings

FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE PROGRAM

Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk
Management held a hearing to review the Federal Crop Insurance Program.
Testimony was heard from John Hoeven, Governor, State of North Dakota; and
public witnesses.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Oversight of Reform of the DOE Nuclear
Weapons Complex. Testimony was heard from Clay Sell, Deputy Secretary,
Department of Energy; Gene Aloise, Director, National Resources and
Environment, GAO; David Klein, Assistant to the Secretary, Nuclear, Chemical,
and Biological Defense Programs, Department of Defense; and a public witness.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on USAID. Testimony was heard
from Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, Administrator, U.S. Agency of International
Development, Department of State.

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

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of
State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Testimony was heard from Carl J.
Truscott, Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,
Department of Justice.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel approved for
full Committee action H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2007.

                                    [Page: D390]

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces approved for
full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
approved for full Committee action H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

GULF COAST RECOVERY

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled "Gulf Coast
Recovery: Facing Challenges and Coming Back Stronger in Education." Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.

COMMUNICATIONS OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTION, AND ENHANCEMENT ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, the
Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act.

AMERICA's CAPITAL MARKETS

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance
and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled "America's
Capital Markets: Maintaining Our Lead in the 21st Century." Testimony was
heard from former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich of
Georgia; and public witnesses.

TITLE INSURANCE: COST AND COMPETITION

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity held a hearing entitled "Title Insurance: Cost and Competition."
Testimony was heard from Orice M. Williams, Director, Financial Markets and
Community Investment, GAO; Gary M. Cunningham, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Regulatory Affairs and Manufactured Housing, Department of Housing and Urban
Development; and public witnesses.

TRANSIT ZONE OPERATIONS

Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "Transit Zone Operations: Can We
Sustain Record Seizures and Declining Resources." Testimony was heard from
James F. X. O'Gara, Deputy Director, Supply Reduction, Office of National Drug
Control Policy; RADM Jeffrey Hathaway, USN, Director, Joint Interagency Task
Force--South, Department of Defense; Michael Braun, Director, Operations, DEA,
Department of Justice; the following officials of the Department of Homeland
Security: RADM Wayne Justice, USCG, Assistant Commandant, Enforcement and
Incident Management, U.S. Coast Guard; and MG Michael Kostelnick, USAF (ret.),
Assistant Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection; and a public witness.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT THRIFT SAVINGS ACT; REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization held a hearing "Adding a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
Index Option to the Thrift Savings Plan: Considering the Views and Advisory
Role of the Employee Thrift Advisory Council (ETAC)." Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board:
Gary A. Amelio, Executive Director; and Thomas J. Trabucco, Director, External
Affairs; and public witnesses.

SAFE PORT ACT

Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4954, SAFE
Port Act.

IRAQ: UPDATE ON U.S. POLICY

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Iraq: Update on U.S.
Policy. Testimony was heard from James Jeffrey, Senior Advisor to the
Secretary and Coordinator for Iraq, Department of State; and the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Peter W. Rodman, Assistant Secretary,
International Security Affairs; and BG Michael D. Jones, USA, Deputy Director,
Politico-Military Affairs (Middle East), J-5, The Joint Staff.

ENDANGERED CHILDREN OF NORTHERN UGANDA

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on the Endangered Children
of Northern Uganda. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of State: Jeffrey Krilla, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of
Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; and Leonard Rogers, Senior Deputy Assistant
Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development; and and public
witnesses.

U.S. POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and
Central Asia continued hearings on U.S. Policy in Central Asia: Balancing
Priorities (Part II). Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of State: Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary, South and
Central Asian Affairs; and Drew W. Luten, Acting Assistant Administrator,
Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, U.S. Agency for International Development;
James McDougal, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Defense; and public
witnesses.

                                    [Page: D391]

U.S.-MEXICO RELATIONS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held
a hearing on U.S.-Mexico Relations. Testimony was heard from Elizabeth A.
Whitaker, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Mexico, Canada, and Public Diplomacy,
Department of State; John M. Melle, Deputy Assistant Trade Representative,
North America, Office of the United States Trade Representative; Audrey Adams,
Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Customs
and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held an oversight hearing on the Department of Justice: Executive Office for
United States Attorneys, Civil Division, Environment and Natural Resources
Division, Executive Office for United States Trustees, and Office of the
Solicitor General. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Justice: Michael Battle, Director, Executive Office for United
States Attorneys; Peter D. Keisler, Assistant Attorney General, Civil
Division; Sue Ellen Woolridge, Assistant Attorney General, Environment and
Natural Resources Division; and Clifford White, Acting Director, Executive
Office for United States Trustees.

MISCELLANEOUS WATER MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 1711, New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act; H.R.
4750, Lower Republican River Basin Study Act; and S. 166, Deschutes River
Conservancy Reauthorization Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Larry Todd,
Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; and
public witnesses.

LOBBYING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 2, a structured rule providing
one hour of general debate on H.R. 4975, to provide greater transparency with
respect to lobbying activities, and for other purposes, equally divided and
controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader, or their designees.
The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The
rule provides that in lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on
the Judiciary, Rules, and Government Reform now printed in the bill, the
amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of the Rules
Committee Print dated April 21, 2006, 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 purpose of further amendment, and shall be considered as read. 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, 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 Rules Committee report.

The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
The rule provides that in the engrossment of H.R. 4975, the Clerk shall add
the text of H.R. 513, as passed by the House, as new matter at the end of H.R.
4975 and shall make appropriate conforming changes. The rule provides that
after the passage of H.R. 4975, it shall be in order to take from the
Speaker's table S. 2349 and to consider the Senate bill in the House. The rule
waives all points of order againt consideration of the Senate bill. The rule
provides that it shall be in order to move to strike all after the enacting
clause of the Senate bill and to insert in lieu thereof the provisions of H.R.
4975 as passed by the House. The rule waives all points of order against that
motion. Finally, the rule provides that if that motion is adopted and the
Senate bill, as amended, is passed, it then shall be in order to move that the
House insist on its amendment to the Senate bill and request a conference
thereon. Testimony was heard from Chairman Tom Davis of Virginia and
Representatives Daniel E. Lungren of California, King of Iowa, Gohmert, Shays,
Leach, Hefley, Castle, Wicker, Shadegg, Kirk, Garrett of New Jersey, Conyers,
Jackson-Lee of Texas, Waters, Meehan, Van Hollen, Waxman, Obey, George Miller
of California, Doggett, Sherman, Bordallo, Emanuel, and Bean.

                                    [Page: D392]

CUTTING THE TRADE DEFICIT

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "Cutting Our Trade
Deficit: Can the U.S. Muster Its Diverse Trade Promotion Operations to Make an
Impact?" Testimony was heard from Representative Mica; Franklin Lavin, Under
Secretary, International Trade, Department of Commerce; Loren Yager, Director,
International Affairs and Trade, GAO; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--U.S. RAIL CAPACITY CRUNCH

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held
an oversight hearing on the U.S. Rail Capacity Crunch. Testimony was heard
from Joseph Boardman, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration,
Department of Transportation; Frank Busalacchi, Secretary, Department of
Transportation, State of Wisconsin; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--CORPORATE COMMITMENT TO HIRING VETERANS

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on Corporate
Commitment to Hiring Veterans. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.



2006/04/27
Daily Digest - Thursday, April 27, 2006; pages D395 - D406

Committee Meetings

FUTURE MARKET AND GASOLINE PRICES

Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review the Futures Market and
Gasoline Prices. Testimony was heard from Walter L. Lukken, Commissioner,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and James E. Newsome, President and
Chief Executive Officer, New York Mercantile Exchange.

                                    [Page: D401]

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

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of
State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the SEC.
Testimony was heard from Christopher Cox, Chairman, SEC.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces approved for
full Committee action H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2007.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness approved for full
Committee action H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2007.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities approved for full Committee action H.R. 5122, National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing entitled "Examining the Use of Non-Consensus
Standards in Workplace Health and Safety." Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

PIPELINE SAFETY

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held
a hearing on Pipeline Safety: A Progress Report Since the Enactment of the
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Transportation: Stacey L. Gerard,
Acting Administrator/Chief Safety Officer, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Administration; and Theodore Alves, Principal Assistant Inspector General for
Audit and Evaluation; Robert Chipkevich, Director, Office of Railroad,
Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials Investigations, National Transportation
Safety Board; Katherine Siggerud, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues,
GAO; and public witnesses.

RYAN WHITE CARE ACT REAUTHORIZATION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE Act: How to Improve the Program to
Ensure Access to Care." Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Health and Human Services: Elizabeth M. Duke, Administrator,
Health Resources and Services Administration; and Kevin Fenton, M.D.,
Director, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; and Marcia Crosse, Director, Health Care, GAO.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE U.S.

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International
Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology held a hearing entitled "CFIUS and the
Role of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States." Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.

PERSISTENT MILITARY PAY PROBLEMS

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Financial Friendly
Fire: A Review of Persistent Military Pay Problems." Testimony was heard from
Gregory Kutz, Director, Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, GAO: the
following officials of the Department of Defense: J. David Patterson,
Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Office of the Comptroller; Nelson Ford,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Financial Management and
Comptroller; Zach E. Gaddy, Director, Defense Finance Accounting Service; LTC
John M. Lovejoy, U.S. Army Reservist, 364th Civil Affairs Brigade; Mark Lewis,
Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, Department of the Army; and COL Mark
McAllister, Finance Officer, 18th Airbourne Corps; and public witnesses.

BRIEFING--GAO REPORT--INFORMATION SHARING

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing and Terrorism met in executive session to receive a briefing on the
GAO report Information Sharing: The Federal Government Needs To Establish
Policies and Processes for Sharing Terrorism-Related and Sensitive but
Unclassified Information (GAO-06-385). The Subcommittee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.

UNITED NATIONS REFORM

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on United Nations Reform:
Improving Internal Oversight Within the UN. Testimony was heard from David M.
Walker, Comptroller General, GAO.

                                    [Page: D402]

NORTH KOREA--HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and
the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations
held a joint hearing on North Korea: Human Rights Update and International
Abduction Issues. Testimony was heard from Jay Lefkowitz, Special Envoy for
Human Rights in North Korea, Department of State; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--CONSTITUTION AND LINE ITEM VETO

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing on the Constitution and Line Item Veto. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Kennedy of Minnesota and Ryan of Wisconsin; and public
witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--PATENT HARMONIZATION

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held an oversight hearing on Patent Harmonization.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--PUERTO RICO'S STATUS

Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on The Report by the
Administration's Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status. Testimony was heard from
C. Kevin Marshall, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel,
Department of Justice and Co-Chair, President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's
Status; Senator Pedro Rossello, Senate of Puerto Rico; former Resident
Commissioner Carlos A. Romero-Barcelo of Puerto Rico; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--BIOMASS ENERGY

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on the GAO Report on Promoting Woody Biomass for Energy and
Other Uses. Testimony was heard from Robin M. Nazzaro, Director, Natural
Resources and Environment, GAO; Marcia Patton-Mallory, Biomass and Bioenergy
Coordinator, Forest Service, USDA; Richard Moorer, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Technology Department, Department of Energy; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 1796, Mississippi River Trail Study Act; H.R. 3085, to
amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability
study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and
provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and
campgrounds associated with that trail; and H.R. 4612 Wright Brothers-Dunbar
National Historic Park Designation Act. Testimony was heard from
Representatives McCollum of Minnesota, Wamp and Turner; Christopher Jarvi,
Associate Director, Partnerships, Interpretation and Education, Volunteers,
and Outdoor Recreation, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and
public witnesses.

H-PRIZE ACT OF 2006

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on H.R. 5143, H-Prize Act of 2006.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

HEALTHCARE AND SMALL BUSINESS

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Workforce Empowerment and
Government Programs held a hearing entitled "Healthcare and Small Business:
Proposals That Will Help Lower Costs and Cover the Uninsured." Testimony was
heard from Representative Shadegg, Robert J. Carroll, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Tax Analysis, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--OIL POLLUTION ACT IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on Implementation of the
Oil Pollution Act. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security: RADM Thomas H.
Gilmour, USCG, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and
Environmental Protection; and Jan P. Lane, Director, National Pollution Funds
Center; and David Kennedy, Director, Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA,
Department of Commerce.

VETERANS LEGISLATION

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a
hearing on the following: H.R. 4791, Disabled Veterans Adaptive Housing
Improvement Act; the Veterans Employment State Grant Improvement Act of 2006;
the GI Bill Flexibility Act of 2006; the Veterans and Credentialing Act of
2006; and a proposal to amend H.R. 3082, Veterans-Owned Small Business
Promotion Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Gordon Mansfield, Deputy
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs; Charles Ciccolella, Assistant
Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training, Department of Labor;
representatives of veterans organizations; and a public witness.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS

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



2006/05/01
Daily Digest - Monday, May 1, 2006; pages D407 - D412

Committee Meetings

DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS REFORM PROPOSALS

Committee on Government Reform: On April 28, the Committee held a hearing
entitled "Making the Grade? Examining District of Columbia Public Schools
Reform Proposals." Testimony was heard from Henry L. Johnson, Assistant
Secretary, Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education; the
following officials of the District of Columbia: Clifford B. Janey,
Superintendent; and John Musso, Chief Financial Officer, both with DC Public
Schools; and Charles J. Willoughby, Inspector General; and a public witness.



2006/05/02
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 2, 2006; pages D414 - D422

Committee Meetings

SENIORS INDEPENDENCE ACT

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Select Education
held a hearing on the Seniors Independence Act of 2006. Testimony was heard
from Josefina Carbonell, Assistant Secretary, Aging, Department of Health and
Human Services; Mason Bishop, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Employment Training
Administration, Department of Labor; Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, State of South
Carolina; and public witnesses.

U.N. SANCTIONS AFTER OIL-FOR-FOOD

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "U.N. Sanctions
After Oil-for-Food: Still a Viable Diplomatic Tool?" Testimony was heard from
Ambassador John R. Bolton, Permanent United States Representative to the
United Nations, Department of State; Joseph A. Christoff, Director,
International Affairs and Trade Team, GAO; and public witnesses.

REDUCING VULNERABILITIES TO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack met in executive session to receive a briefing on the
Defense Science Board's 2005 study "Reducing Vulnerabilities to Weapons of
Mass Destruction." The Subcommittee was briefed by the following Co-Chairs of
the study: Larry Lynn, Independent Consultant to the Department of Defense,
member of the Defense Science Board and the Threat Reduction Advisory Council;
and Robert Nesbit, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Center for
Integrated Intelligence Systems, DOD C31 Federally Funded Research and
Development Center.

                                    [Page: D420]

SAFE PORT ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 7 to 3, a structured role providing
one hour of general debate on H.R. 4954, SAFE Port Act, with 40 minutes
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on Homeland Security and 20 minutes equally divided and
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure. 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 Homeland Security 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 waives all points of order
against the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the
Committee on Homeland Security. 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 accompanying the resolution
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 on motion to
recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman King
of New York and Representatives Daniel E. Lungren of California, Shays
Rohrabacher, Thompson of Mississippi, Loretta Sanchez of California, Markey,
Christensen, Oberstar, Nadler, Stupak, Millender-McDonald, Sherman, and
Weiner.



2006/05/03
Daily Digest - Wednesday, May 3, 2006; pages D424 - D434

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 approved for full Committee
action the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and
Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007.

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 State
Department, Public Diplomacy. Testimony was heard from Karen Hughes, Under
Secretary, Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Department of State; and Jess
Ford, Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5122, National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

BUILDING AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled "Building
American Competitiveness: Examining the Scope and Success of Existing Federal
Math and Science Programs." Testimony was heard from Tom Luce, Assistant
Secretary, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, Department
of Education; Cornelia Ashby, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income
Security, GAO; and a public witness.

PASSENGER CAR FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing on a measure to authorize the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to set passenger car fuel
economy standards. Testimony was heard from Representative Boehlert; Norman Y.
Mineta, Secretary of Transportation; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D431]

DIGITAL CONTENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection continued hearings entitled "Digital Content and Enabling
Technology: Satisfying the 21st Century Consumer." Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

INTERNET CHILD PREDATORS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
continued hearings entitled "Sexual Exploitation of Children Over the
Internet: What Parents, Kids and Congress Need To Know About Child Predators."
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice:
Alice S. Fisher, Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division; Raul Roldan,
Section Chief, Cyber Crime Section of the Cyber Division and Arnold Bell, Unit
Chief, Innocent Images Unit, both with the FBI; and public witnesses.

SEC INVESTOR PROTECTION

Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled "Protecting Investors
and Fostering Efficient Markets: A Review of the S.E.C. Agenda." Testimony was
heard from Christopher Cox, Chairman, SEC.

NATO TRANSFORMATION

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging
Threats held a hearing on The United States and NATO: Transformation and the
Riga Summit. Testimony was heard from Kurt Volker, Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State; and
Dan Fata, Deputy Assistant Secretary, European and NATO Affairs, Department of
Defense.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 4777,
Internet Gambling Prohibition Act; and H.R. 5092, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1384,
Firearm Commerce Modernization Act; and H.R. 1415, NICS Improvement Act.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Gingrey, King of Iowa; and McCarthy.

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on the following bills; H.R. 5018,
American Fisheries Management and Maine Life Enhancement Act; and H.R. 1431,
Fisheries Science and Management Enhancement Act of 2005. Testimony was heard
from William T. Hogarth, Director, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA,
Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.

FOREST MANAGEMENT AND ELECTRICITY SERVICE

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power and the Subcommittee
on Forests and Forest Health held a joint oversight hearing on the Need for
Proper Forest Management on Federal Rights of Way To Ensure Reliable
Electricity Service. Testimony was heard from Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief,
National Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses.

H-PRIZE ACT OF 2006; NSF/SCIENCE AND MATH EDUCATION

Committee on Science: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5143, H-Prize Act of
2006.

Prior to this action, the Committee held a hearing on the Role of the National
Science Foundation in K-12 Science and Math Education. Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.

SARBANES-OXLEY AND SMALLER COMPANIES

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "Sarbanes-Oxley Section
404: What Is the Proper Balance Between Investor Protection and Capital
Formation for Smaller Public Companies?" Testimony was heard from Herbert S.
Wander, Chairman, SEC Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies; and
public witnesses.

RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS--UNIVERSAL SERVICE REFORM

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture
and Technology held a hearing entitled "The Future of Rural
Telecommunications: Is Universal Service Reform Needed?" Testimony was heard
from Representative Terry; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--MISHANDLED BAGGAGE

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
an oversight hearing on Mishandled Baggage: Problems and Solutions. Testimony
was heard from Samuel Podberesky, Assistant General Counsel, Aviation
Enforcement and Proceedings, Department of Transportation; Charlotte Bryan,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Transportation Sector Network Management,
Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security; and a
public witness.

                                    [Page: D432]

MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
Implementation of the Medicare Drug Benefit. Testimony was heard from Mark
McClellan, M.D., Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,
Department of Health and Human Services; Beatrice Disman, Chairman, Medicare
Planning and Implementation Task Force, SSA; and public witnesses.



2006/05/04
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 4, 2006; pages D435 - D442

Committee Meetings

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies, approved for full Committee action the Interior,
Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007.

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 approved for full Committee action the
Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007.

                                    [Page: D440]

STATE MANDATES ON EMPLOYER-PROVIDED HEALTH INSURANCE

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-Employee
Relations held a hearing entitled "Examining the Impact of State Mandates on
Employer-Provided Health Insurance." Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

WORLD CRUDE-OIL PRICING

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled "World Crude-Oil
Pricing." Testimony was heard from Guy F. Caruso, Administrator, Energy
Information Administration, Department of Energy; Orice Williams, Director,
Financial Markets and Community Investment Team, GAO; and public witnesses.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "The Critical Role of Community Health Centers in Ensuring Access to
Care." Testimony was heard from Elizabeth Handley, Division Director, Policy
and Development, Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
4768, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
777 Corporation Street in Beaver, Pennsylvania, as the "Robert Linn Memorial
Post Office Building;" H.R. 5086, To designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as
the "Lane Evans Post Office Building;" H.R. 5104, To designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 1750 16th South in St. Petersburg,
Florida, as the "Morris W. Milton Postal Office;" H.R. 5245, To designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Marble Street in
Fair Haven, Vermont, as the "Matthew Lyon Post Office Building;" H. Res. 327,
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Passport Month; H. Res. 626,
Congratulating Albert Pujols on being named the Most Valuable Player for the
National League for the 2005 Major League Baseball season; H. Res. 627,
Congratulating Chris Carpenter on being named the Cy Young Award winner for
the National League for the 2005 Major League Baseball season; H. Res. 729,
Supporting National Tourism Week; H. Res. 753, Commending American craft
brewers; H. Res. 763, Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Children
and Families Day, in order to encourage adults in the United States to support
and listen to children and to help children throughout the Nation achieve
their hopes and dreams; H. Res. 773, Commending the American Jewish Committee
for its century of leadership; H. Res. 788, Supporting the goals and ideals of
Peace Officers Memorial Day; and H. Con. Res. 399, Recognizing the 30th
anniversary of the victory of United States winemakers at the 1976 Paris Wine
Tasting.

The Committee also unfavorably reported H. Res. 752, Requesting the President
to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the
date of adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of the
President relating to the receipt and consideration by the Executive Office of
the President of any information concerning the variation between the version
of S. 1932, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, that the House of
Representatives passed on February 1, 2006, and the version of the bill that
the President signed on February 8, 2006.

SIFTING THROUGH KATRINA'S LEGAL DEBRIS

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Sifting Through
Katrina's Legal Debris: Contracting in the Eye of the Storm." Testimony was
heard from William Woods, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO;
the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Matt Jadacki,
Special Inspector General, Gulf Coast Hurricane Recovery; Elaine Duke, Chief
Procurement Officer; and Deidre Lee, Deputy Director, Operations, FEMA; Emily
Murphy, Chief, Acquisition Office, GSA; and MG Don Riley USA, Director, Civil
Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense.

BIOSCIENCE AND THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack continued hearings entitled "BioScience and the Intelligence
Community (Part II): Closing the Gap." Testimony was heard from Ambassador
Kenneth Brill, Director, National Counterproliferation Center, Office of the
Director of National Intelligence; Charles Allen, Chief Intelligence Officer,
Department of Homeland Security; Bruce Pease, Director, Weapons Intelligence
Nonproliferation and Arms Control, CIA; and Alan MacDougall, Chief,
Counterproliferation Support Office, Defense Intelligence Agency, Department
of Defense.

                                    [Page: D441]

GERMANY'S WORLD CUP BROTHELS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Germany's World Cup
Brothels: Women and Children at Risk of Exploitation through Trafficking.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

VOTING RIGHTS ACT AMENDMENTS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held hearings,
Part 1 and 11, on H.R. 9, To amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Testimony
was heard from Rena Comisac, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights
Division, Department of Justice; J. Gerald Hebert, former Acting Chief, Civil
Rights Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--ENERGY OCCUPATION ILLNESS COMPENSATION PROGRAM ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims, held an oversight hearing on the Energy Employee Occupation Illness
Compensation Program Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Wamp, Udall
of New Mexico; Hastings of Washington; and Udall of Colorado.

OVERSIGHT--FUTURE OF COAL

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing on the Future of Federal Coal: Status, Availability and
Impact of Technological Advances in Using Coal To Create Alternative Energy
Resources. Testimony was heard from Brenda Pierce, Program Coordinator, Energy
Resources Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; and
public witnesses.

NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held a hearing on
H.R. 3835, National Ocean Exploration Program Act. Testimony was heard from
Richard W. Spinrade, Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.

NATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM ACT

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards
approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 5136, National Integrated
Drought Information System Act of 2006.

Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on Improving Drought
Monitoring and Preparedness: H.R. 5136, National Integrated Drought
Information System Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Chester Koblinsky,
Director, Climate Program Office, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public
witnesses.

CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION ENHANCEMENT ACT

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on The Chesapeake Bay Program
Reauthorization and H.R. 4126, Chesapeake Bay Restoration Enhancement Act of
2005. Testimony was heard from Representatives Jo Ann Davis of Virginia and
Cardin; Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Water, EPA; and public
witnesses.

MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health continued hearings on
Implementation of the Medicare Drug Benefit. Testimony was heard from
Representative Waxman; Leslie Aronovitz, Director, Healthcare, GAO; and public
witnesses.

LABOR DEPARTMENT BUDGET/UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on
Unemployment Compensation Aspects of U.S. Department of Labor Fiscal Year 2007
Budget. Testimony was heard from Mason Bishop, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor; Sigurd Nilsen,
Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; and public
witnesses.

AL-QAEDA USE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a hearing on Al-Qaeda Use of
Strategic Communications. Testimony was heard from Peter W. Rodman, Assistant
Secretary, International Security Affairs, Department of Defense; and a public
witness.



2006/05/05
Daily Digest - Friday, May 5, 2006; pages D444 - D448

Committee Meetings

No Committee meetings were held.



2006/05/08
Daily Digest - Monday, May 8, 2006; pages D449 - D452

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held. 



2006/05/09
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 9, 2006; pages D454 - D460

Committee Meetings

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS;
SUBALLOCATION OF BUDGET ALLOCATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, as amended, the Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007.

The Committee also approved Suballocation of Budget Allocations for Fiscal
Year 2007.

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Committee on Energy and Commerce : Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Examining the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education
Program." Testimony was heard from Kerry Nesseler, R.N., Associate
Administrator, Health Professions, Health Resources and Services
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.

HORSE RACING WORKFORCE WELFARE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Thoroughbred Horse Racing Jockeys and Workers:
Examining On-Track Injury Insurance and Other Health and Welfare Issues."
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

ANTHRAX PROTECTION

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "Anthrax
Protection: Progress or Problems." Testimony was heard from Keith Rhodes,
Chief Technologist, Center for Technology and Engineering, Applied Research
and Methods, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Defense: Ellen
P. Embrey, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs, Force Health Protection
and Readiness; and Jean Reed, Special Assistant to the Secretary, Chemical and
Biological Defense Programs; the following officials of the Department of
Health and Human Services: Gerald Parker, D.V.M., Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Public Health Preparedness; and Richard Besser, M.D., Director, Office of
Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; Susan Elizabeth George, Deputy Director, Biological
Countermeasures Portfolio, Department of Homeland Security; and Dana Tulis,
Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Management, EPA.

                                    [Page: D458]

OVERSIGHT--FEMA HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT INTEGRATION

Committee on Homeland Security: Held an oversight hearing on proposed
legislation to strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency and better
integrate it into the Department. Testimony was heard from William O. Jenkins,
Jr., Director, Homeland Security and Justice, GAO; and public witnesses.

CONFERENCE REPORT: TAX INCREASE PREVENTION AND RECONCILIATION ACT OF 2005

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order
against the conference report to accompany H.R. 4297, Tax Increase Prevention
and Reconciliation Act of 2005, and against its consideration. The rule
provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. Testimony was
heard from Representative Camp.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule on H.R. 5122,
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, providing one hour of
general debate equally divided and controlled between the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Armed Services. 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 Armed
Services 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 waives all
points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute
recommended by the Committee on Armed Services.

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 accompanying the resolution 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 Rules
Committee Report. Finally, the rule provides, that after disposition of the
amendments printed in the Rules Committee report, 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 Hunter and Representatives Simmons, Shays, Castle, Lewis (KY), Mica,
Chabot, Tom Davis (VA), Gutknecht, Dent, Gohmert, Skelton, Israel, Udall (CO),
Capps, Tierney, Hoyer, Bishop (GA), Stupak, Woolsey, Jackson-Lee (TX),
Schakowsky, Thompson (CA), Lynch, Schiff, Michaud.

CORPORATE TAX REFORM

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures held a
hearing on Corporate Tax Reform. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.



2006/05/10
Daily Digest - Wednesday, May 10, 2006; pages D462 - D470

Committee Meetings

APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007--MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS; AND
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES

Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, as amended, the following
appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007: the Military Quality of Life, and
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and the Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies.

SENIOR INDEPENDENCE ACT OF 2006

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Select Education
approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 5293, Senior Independence
Act of 2006.

FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amend, a measure to
amend the automobile fuel economy provisions of title 49, United States Code,
to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to set fuel economy standards for
passenger automobiles based on one or more vehicle attributes.

GASOLINE SUPPLY AND PRICE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled "Gasoline Supply,
Price and Specifications." Testimony was heard from Howard K. Gruenspecht,
Deputy Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy;
William Wehrum, Acting-Assistant Administrator, Air and Radiation, EPA; and
public witnesses.

Hearings continue tomorrow.

PUBLIC HOUSING MANAGEMENT

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census held
a hearing entitled "Public Housing Management: Do the Public Housing
Authorities Have the Flexibility They Need to Meet the Changing Demands of the
21st Century?" Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

PREVENTING KATRINA FRAUD

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance
and Accountability held a hearing entitled "After Katrina: The Role of the
Department of Justice Katrina Fraud Task Force and Agency Inspectors General
in Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse." Testimony was heard from Alice Fisher,
Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice, and
Chair, Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force; Matt Jadacki, Special Inspector
General, Gulf Hurricane Recovery, Department of Homeland Security; Ken
Donohue, Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Eric
Thorson, Inspector General, SBA; and Thomas Gimble, Principal Deputy Inspector
General, Department of Defense.

                                    [Page: D467]

INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION SHARING

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing, and Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled "Building the Information
Sharing Environment: Addressing the Challenges of Implementation." Testimony
was heard from Ambassador Ted McNamara, Information Sharing Program Manager,
Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

DHS INTELLIGENCE ENTERPRISE--PROTECTION OF PRIVACY

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment continued hearings entitled "Protection
of Privacy in the DHS Intelligence Enterprise." Testimony was heard from a
public witness.

CHINA'S RESURGENCE

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on A Resurgent China:
Responsible Stakeholder or Robust Rival? Testimony was heard from Robert B.
Zoellick, Deputy Secretary, Department of State.

U.S. REFUGEE PROTECTION AND RESETTLEMENT

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Human Rights and
International Operations held a hearing on Current Issues in U.S. Refugee
Protection and Resettlement. Testimony was heard from Ellen R. Sauerbrey,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, Department
of State; Rachel Brand, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy,
Department of Justice; Paul; Rosenzweig, Acting Assistant Secretary, Policy
Development, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

VOTING RIGHTS ACT REAUTHORIZATION; PALESTINIAN ANTI-TERRORISM ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills:
H.R. 9, Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Correta Scott King Voting Rights Act
Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006; and H.R. 4681, Palestinian
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006.

WILD REFUGE MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held a hearing on
the following bills: H.R. 4947, Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Expansion Act; H.R. 5094, Lake Mattamuskeet Lodge Preservation Act; and H.R.
5232, Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Study Act. Testimony was heard
from Representative Bachus; William Hartwig, Chief, National Wildlife Refuge
System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and public
witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 4588, Water Resources Research Act Amendments of 2005;
H.R. 5079, North Unit Irrigation District Act of 2006; and S. 214 / H.R. 469,
United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: William E.
Rinne, Acting Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation; and P. Patrick Leahy,
Acting Director, U.S. Geological Survey; and public witnesses.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a structured rule providing
for further consideration of H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2007. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the
Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution and amendments en bloc
described in section 3 of the resolution. The rule provides that amendments
printed in the report shall be considered only in the order printed in the
report (except as specified in section 4 of the resolution), may be offered
only by a Member designated in the report, and shall be considered as may be
offered only by a Member designated in the report, and shall be considered as
read. The rule provides that each amendment printed in the report shall be
debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled
by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment (except
that the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed
Services each may offer one pro forma amendment for the purpose of further
debate on any pending 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 amendments printed in the report
and those amendments en bloc as described in Section 3 of the resolution. The
rule authorizes the Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, or his
designee, to offer amendments en bloc consisting of amendments printed in the
Rules Committee report not earlier disposed of, which shall be considered as
read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the
chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services or
their designees, and shall not be subject to amendment or demand for a
division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The
rule provides that the original proponent of an amendment included in such
amendments en bloc may insert a statement in the Congressional Record
immediately before the disposition of the amendments en bloc. The rule allows
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to recognize for consideration of
any amendment printed in the report, out of the order printed, but not sooner
than 30 minutes after the chairman of the Armed Services Committee or his
designee announces from the floor a request to that effect. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

                                    [Page: D468]

WAIVING A REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII WITH RESPECT TO THE SAME DAY
CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule
XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from
the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any special rule reported
on the legislative day of May 11, 2006, providing for consideration of the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 376) establishing the congressional budget
for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and setting forth
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

ENTREPRENEURS CAPITAL ACCESS

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "Bridging the Equity Gap:
Examining the Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Act of 2006." Testimony was
heard from Lorrie Keating-Heinemann, Secretary, Department of Financial
Institutions, State of Wisconsin; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--HIGHWAY CAPACITY AND FREIGHT MOBILITY

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Highway Capacity and
Freight Mobility: The Current Status and Future Challenges. Testimony was
heard from Jeffrey Shane, Under Secretary, Transportation Policy, Department
of Transportation; and Tim Martin, Secretary of Transportation, State of
Illinois; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--RAILROAD RETIREMENT REFORM

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held
an oversight hearing on Operational Experience Under the 2001 Railroad
Retirement Reform Law. Testimony was heard from Michael S. Schwartz, Chairman,
Railroad Retirement Board; and public witnesses.

VETERANS MEASURES

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity approved
for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 3082,
Veteran-Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2005; and H.R. 5220, Veterans
Certification and Licensure Act of 2006.

DRAFT IMPLEMENTING PROPOSAL--U.S.-OMAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT

Committee on Ways and Means: Approved the draft implementing proposal on the
United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.



2006/05/11
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 11, 2006; pages D471 - D478

Committee Meetings

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR
2007

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies approved for full Committee action, as amended, the Energy
and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year
2007.

HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security approved for
full Committee action, as amended, the Homeland Security Appropriations for
Fiscal Year 2007.

GASOLINE SUPPLY AND PRICE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Concluded hearings entitled "Gasoline
Supply, Price and Specifications." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS IN COMMERCE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled "Social Security Numbers in
Commerce: Reconciling Beneficial Uses With Threats to Privacy." Testimony was
heard from Jon Leibowitz, Commissioner, FTC; and public witnesses.

CREDIT UNION CHARTER CHOICE ACT

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and
Consumer Credit held a hearing on H.R. 3206, Credit Union Charter Choice Act.
Testimony was heard from JoAnn Johnson, Chairman, National Credit Union
Administration; Scott Polakoff, Deputy Director, Office of Thrift Supervision,
Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.

PANDEMIC FLU PLANNING AND CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Working Through an
Outbreak: Pandemic Flu Planning and Continuity of Operations." Testimony was
heard from John O. Agwunobi, M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health, Department of
Health and Human Services; Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D., Acting Under Secretary,
Science and Technology, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Homeland
Security; Linda Springer, Director, OPM; David M. Walker, Comptroller General,
GAO; and public witnesses.

BRIEFING--GOVERNANCE OF STATE AND LOCAL FUSION CENTERS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment met in executive session to receive a
briefing on the different governance structures of State and Local Fusion
Centers. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses.

HOMELAND SECURITY INTERESTS--ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and
Oversight continued hearings entitled "CBP and ICE: Does the Current
Organizational Structure Best Serve U.S. Homeland Security Interests? Part
III." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Homeland Security: Stewart A. Baker, Assistant Secretary, Policy; Julie L.
Myers, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and
Deborah J. Spero, Acting Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and
public witnesses.

NATION-WIDE BIOSURVEILLANCE NETWORK

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack held a hearing entitled "Creating a Nation-wide Integrated
Biosurveillance Network." Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Homeland Security: Kimothy Smith, D.V.D., Chief
Veterinarian, Chief Scientist, and Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer; and
John Vitko, Director, Biological Countermeasures; Rich Besser, M.D., Director,
Coordinating Office of Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services;
Ellen Embrey, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Force Health Protection and
Readiness, Department of Defense; and John Clifford, Deputy Administrator,
Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, USDA.

U.S.-INDIA GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the U.S.-India Global
Partnership: Legislative Options. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Kolbe and Markey; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D477]

STATE DEPARTMENT TERRORISM REPORT

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism
and Nonproliferation, hearing on Reviewing the State Department's Annual
Report on Terrorism. Testimony was heard from Henry A. Crumpton, Coordinator
for Counterterrorism, Department of State; and Russell Travers, Deputy
Director, Information Sharing and Knowledge Development, National
Counterterrorism Center.

VISA OVERSTAYS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Visa Overstays: Can We Bar the Terrorist
Door? Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

CYBER-SECURITY ENHANCEMENT AND CONSUMER DATA PROTECTION ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held a hearing on H.R. 5318, Cyber-Security Enhancement and Consumer
Data Protection Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Laura H. Parsky, Deputy
Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; and
public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--INDIAN GAMING

Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on Minimum Internal Control
Standards (MICS) for Indian gaming. Testimony was heard from Phil Hogen,
Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--DISABILITY ACCESS IN NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight
hearing on Disability Access in the National Park System. Testimony was heard
from Sue Masica, Associate Director, Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands,
National Park Service, Department of the Interior; J.R. Harding, Vice
Chairman, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board; and
public witnesses.

NOAA WEATHER SATELLITES

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on the Inspector General Report on NOAA
Weather Satellites. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Commerce: VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., (Ret.), Under
Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA; and Johnnie E. Frazier, Inspector
General.

OVERSIGHT--COAST GUARD MISSION CAPABILITIES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on Coast Guard Mission
Capabilities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the U.S.
Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security: RADM Joseph L. Nimmich, USCG,
Assistant Commandant, Policy and Planning; and RADM Wayne E. Justice,
Director, Enforcement and Incident Management.

OVERSIGHT--VETERANS INFRASTRUCTURE/MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on right-sizing the
Department of Veterans Affairs infrastructure and the Department's pending
major medical facility project and lease authorization requests. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Baker, Melancon and Feeney; Jonathan B. Perlin,
M.D., Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans Affairs; and
representatives of veterans organizations.

SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE DELIVERY CHALLENGES

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
Social Security Service Delivery Challenges. Testimony was heard from Jo Anne
B. Barnhart, Commissioner, SSA.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS

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



2006/05/12
Daily Digest - Friday, May 12, 2006; pages D479 - D484

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2006/05/15
Daily Digest - Monday, May 15, 2006; pages D485 - D488

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2006/05/16
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 16, 2006; pages D489 - D496

Committee Meetings

ENERGY AS A WEAPON: U.S. POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Energy and Resources and the
Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International
Relations held a joint hearing entitled "Energy as a Weapon: Implications for
U.S. Policy." Testimony was heard from Karen Harbert, Assistant Secretary,
Policy and International Affairs, Department of Energy; Paul Simons, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Energy, Sanctions, and Commodity Policy, Department of
State; and public witnesses.

JUDGES--PAY AND BENEFITS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization held a hearing entitled "Fair and Balanced? The Status of Pay and
Benefits for Non-Article III Judges." Testimony was heard from Nancy Kichak,
Associate Director, Division for Strategic Human Resources Policy, OPM;
William Cowan, Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy; Ronald G. Bernoski,
Administrative Law Judge, SSA; and public witnesses.

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA STRATEGY

Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled "Are We Ready?:
Implementing the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza." Testimony was
heard from Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D., Acting Under Secretary, Science and
Technology and Chief Medical Officer, Department of Homeland Security; John
Agwonobi, M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health, Department of Health and Human
Services; John Clifford, D.V.D., Deputy Administrator, Veterinary Services,
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; and Peter F. Verga, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Homeland Defense, Department of Defense.

MEDICAL OUTREACH AND U.S. DIPLOMACY

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Relations held a hearing on Medical Outreach: An
Instrument of U.S. Diplomacy. Testimony was heard from Cheryl Austein-Casnoff,
Associate Administrator, Office of Health Information Technology, Health
Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human
Services; the following officials of the Department of State. Ralph Braibanti,
Director, Office of Space and Advanced Technology, Bureau of Oceans and
International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and Richard Greene,
Director, Office of Health, Infectious Diseases and Nutrition Bureau for
Global Health, U.S. Agency for International Development; and public
witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--COPYRIGHT ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property, oversight hearing on Section 115 Reform Act (SIRA) of
2006. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

AGRICULTURE, RURAL, DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED
AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007

Committee on Rules: Testimony heard; action deferred.

                                    [Page: D494]

BUDGET RESOLUTION, FY 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule
XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from
the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any resolution reported on
the legislative day of May 17, 2006, providing for consideration of the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 376) establishing the congressional budget
for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and setting forth
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 through 2011, or addressing
budget enforcement or priorities.

FOREST EMERGENCY RECOVERY AND RESEARCH ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing one
hour of general debate on H.R. 4200, Forest Emergency Recovery and Research
Act, with 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on Resources, 20 minutes equally
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The
rule provides that in lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on
Resources now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute
consisting of the text of the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed
in the Congressional Record and numbered 1 pursuant to clause 8 of rule XVIII,
shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the
five-minute rule and shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points
of order against that amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the
Congressional Record.

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 accompanying the resolution 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.



2006/05/17
Daily Digest - Wednesday, May 17, 2006; pages D497 - D506

Committee Meetings

HOMELAND SECURITY; ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007

Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, as amended, the following
appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007: Homeland Security; and Energy and Water
Development, and Related Agencies.

SENIOR INDEPENDENCE ACT OF 2006

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R.
5293, Senior Independence Act of 2006.

MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS' RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT OF 2005

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing on H.R. 2048, Motor Vehicle Owners' Right
to Repair Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Deborah Platt Majoras,
Chairman, FTC; and public witnesses.

PLANNING FOR LONG-TERM CARE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
Planning for Long-Term Care. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM

Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on the State of the
International Financial System. Testimony was heard from John W. Snow,
Secretary of the Treasury.

REFORM OF NATIONAL SECURITY REVIEWS OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS ACT

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International
Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing on H.R. 5337, Reform of National
Security Reviews of Foreign Direct Investments Act. Testimony was heard from
Clay Lowery, Assistant Secretary, International Affairs, Department of the
Treasury; Stewart A. Baker, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning, and
International Affairs, Department of Homeland Security; Alice Fisher,
Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; Peter
C.W. Flory, Assistant Secretary, International Security Policy, Department of
Defense; and public witnesses.

DOD PRIVATE SECTOR CLEARANCES

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Low Clearance: Why
Did DOD Suddenly Stop Processing Private Sector Security Clearances?"
Testimony was heard from Clay Johnson, III, Acting Director, OMB; the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Robert Andrews, Deputy Under
Secretary, Counterintelligence and Security; Robert W. Rogalski, Special
Assistant, Under Secretary (Intelligence); and Thomas F. Gimble, Principal
Deputy Inspector General; and Kathy L. Dillaman, Associate Director, Federal
Investigative Services Division, OPM.

RU-486 SAFETY

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy,
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "RU-486--Demonstrating a Low
Standard for Women's Health?" Testimony was heard from Janet Woodcock, M.D.,
Deputy Commissioner, Operations, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services;
and public witnesses.

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REFORM AND ENHANCEMENT ACT

Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5451,
National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006.

U.S. AND SOUTH ASIA AGENDA

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on the United States and South Asia: An Expanding Agenda.
Testimony was heard from Richard Boucher, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South
and Central Asian Affairs, Department of State.

U.S. ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO EGYPT

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and
Central Asia held a hearing to review U.S. Assistance Programs to Egypt.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State:
David C. Welch, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; James
Kunder, Assistant Administrator, Asia and the Near East, U.S. Agency for
International Development; and Michael W. Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D503]

FEDERAL AGENCY PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT; OVERSIGHT--HOMELAND SECURITY AND
PERSONAL PRIVACY

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
approved for full Committee action H.R. 2840, Federal Agency Protection of
Privacy Act of 2005.

The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on Privacy in the Hands of the
Government: The Privacy Officer for the Department of Homeland Security and
the Privacy Officer for the Department of Justice. Testimony was heard from
Maureen Cooney, Acting Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security;
Jane C. Horvath, Chief Privacy and Civil Liberties Officer, Department of
Justice; Linda D. Koontz, Director, Information Management Issues, GAO; and a
public witness.

AMERICAN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND MARINE LIFE ENHANCEMENT ACT

Committee on Resources: Ordered reported, amended, H.R. 5018, American
Fisheries Management and Marine Life Enhancement Act.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES; APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule proving 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 5386, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior,
environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order
against consideration of the bill. Under the rules of the House the bill shall
be read for amendment by paragraph. 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 as specified in the resolution. 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. Section 2 provides that
upon adoption of H. Con. Res. 376, and until a concurrent resolution on the
budget for fiscal year 2007 has been adopted by the Congress, the provisions
of H. Con. Res. 376 and its accompanying report shall have force and effect in
the House for all purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 as though
adopted by the Congress. The rule provides that nothing in section 2 may be
construed to engage rule XXVII. Testimony was heard from Representative Dicks.

MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED APPROPRIATIONS FOR
FY 2007

Committee on Rules: Testimony was heard from Representative Walsh, but action
was deferred on H.R. 5385, making appropriations for the military quality of
life functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2007.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FY 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote of 6 to 4, a structured rule
providing for further consideration of H. Con. Res. 376, establishing the
congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and
setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 through 2011.
The rule provides that the amendments printed in part A of the Rules Committee
report accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted. The rule
provides that the concurrent resolution, as amended, shall be considered as
read. The rule makes in order only those further amendments printed in part B
of the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution.

The rule provides that the amendments printed in part B of the report
accompanying the resolution 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 40 minutes equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to
amendment. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed
in part B of 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 provides that upon the conclusion of consideration of the concurrent
resolution for amendment there shall be a final period of general debate, not
to exceed 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget. The rule permits the
chairman of the Committee on the Budget 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 adoption of H. Con. Res. 376, it shall be in
order to consider in the House S. Con. Res. 83, to move to strike all after
the resolving clause of S. Con. Res. 83, and to insert the provisions of H.
Con. Res. 376 as adopted by the House. The rule waives all points of order
against consideration of S. Con. Res. 83 and against the motion to strike and
insert. Finally, the rule provides that if the motion is adopted and the
Senate concurrent resolution, as amended, is adopted, then it shall be in
order to move that the House insist on its amendment to the Senate concurrent
resolution and request a conference with the Senate thereon.

                                    [Page: D504]

PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES OF 2006

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on Plug-in Hybrid
Electric Vehicles of 2006. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following
bills: H.R. 5013, Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006; H.R.
5187, To amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize additional
appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for
fiscal year 2007; and as amended, H.R. 5316, RESPOND Act of 2006.

The Committee also approved additional lease resolutions from the GSA FY 2007
Capital Investment and Leasing Program.



2006/05/18
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 18, 2006; pages D508 - D516

Committee Meetings

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing on No Child Left
Behind: How Innovative Educators Are Integrating Subject Matter To Improve
Student Achievement. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D514]

UNLOCKING AMERICA's ENERGY RESOURCES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held
a hearing entitled "Unlocking America's Energy Resources: Next Generation."
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

STOCKHOLM AND ROTTERDAM TOXICS TREATY ACT OF 2005

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous
Materials approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4591, Stockholm
and Rotterdam Toxics Treaty Act of 2005.

TRUTH IN CALLER ID ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet held a hearing on H.R. 5126, Truth in Caller ID Act of 2006.
Testimony was heard from Tom Navin, Wireline Bureau Chief, FCC; and public
witnesses.

REFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING CASH TRANSACTIONS

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and
Consumer Credit held a hearing on H.R. 5341, Seasoned Customer CTR Exemption
Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Robert W. Werner, Director, Financial
Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of the Treasury; Michael F.A. Morehart,
Chief, Terrorist Financing Operations Section, FBI, Department of Justice;
Kevin A. Delli-Colli, Deputy Assistant Director, Financial and Trade
Investigations, Office of Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

MILITARY PERSONNEL FINANCIAL SERVICES

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Financial Services Needs of Military Personnel and
Their Families." Testimony was heard from Valerie Melvin, Acting Director,
Defense Capabilities and Management Team, GAO; and public witnesses.

RESPOND ACT OF 2006; DC FAIR AND EQUAL HOUSE VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
5316, as amended, RESPOND Act of 2006; and H.R. 5388, District of Columbia
Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2006.

The Committee failed to report H.R. 5410, No Taxation Without Representation
Act of 2006.

HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL AND SECURITY CLEARANCES

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and
Oversight held a hearing entitled "Retention, Security Clearances, Morale, and
Other Human Capital Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security."
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland
Security: K. Gregg Prillaman, Chief Human Capital Officer; and Dwight
Williams, Director, Office of Security; Kathy L. Dillaman, Associate Director,
Federal Investigations Processing Center, OPM; and public witnesses.

DARFUR--PROSPECTS FOR PEACE

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the Prospects for
Peace in Darfur. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of State: Jendayi E. Frazer, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African
Affairs; and Lloyd O. Pierson, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa,
U.S. Agency for International Development.

NIGERIA'S STRUGGLE WITH CORRUPTION

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Nigeria's Struggle with
Corruption. Testimony was heard from Linda Thomas Greenfield, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State; and public
witnesses.

SHOULDER-FIRED MISSILE THREAT REDUCTION ACT

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism
and Nonproliferation approved for full Committee action H.R. 5333,
Shoulder-fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 2006.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; ANIMAL FIGHTING PROHIBITION ENFORCEMENT ACT

Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 5005,
Firearms Corrections and Improvements Act; H.R. 1384, Firearm Commerce
Modernization Act; H.R. 1415, NICS Improvement Act; and H.R. 5318,
Cyber-Security Enhancement and Consumer Data Protection Act of 2006.

The Subcommittee also held a [hearing] on H.R. 817, Animal Fighting
Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

                                    [Page: D515]

PHYSICIANS FOR UNDERSERVED AREAS ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims held a hearing on H.R. 4997, Physicians for Underserved Areas Act.
Testimony was heard from Representative Moran of Kansas; Leslie G. Aronovitz,
Director, Health Care, GAO; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--ALTERNATIVE FUELS FOR TRANSPORTATION

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing on the Energy and Mineral Requirements for Renewable and
Alternative Fuels Used for Transportation and Other Purposes. Testimony was
heard from W. David Menzi, Chief, Minerals Information Team, U.S. Geological
Survey, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points
of order against consideration of the bill. Under the rules of the House the
bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. 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 as specified in the resolution. The rule
authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have
pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

OVERSIGHT--EPA GRANTS MANAGEMENT

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held an oversight hearing on EPA Grants Management
2003-2006: Progress and Challenge. Testimony was heard from John B.
Stephenson, Director, National Resources and Environment, GAO; and the
following officials of the EPA: Bill A. Roderick, Acting Inspector General;
Luis A. Luna, Assistant Administrator, Office of Administration and Resources
Management; and Donald S. Welsh, Administrator, Region III.

BRIEFING--DENIAL AND DECEPTION

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



2006/05/19
Daily Digest - Friday, May 19, 2006; pages D517 - D524

Committee Meetings

FOREIGN APPROPRIATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FY 2007

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs approved for full Committee action the Foreign
Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs appropriations for Fiscal
Year 2007.



2006/05/22
Daily Digest - Monday, May 22, 2006; pages D525 - D530

Committee Meetings

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED
AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 5384, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman
and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule
waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Under the rules
of the House the bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. 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 as specified in the
resolution. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to
Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record.
Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR
2007

Committee on Rules: Testimony was heard from Representative Hobson, but action
was deferred on H.R. 5427, making appropriations for energy and water
development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007.



2006/05/23
Daily Digest - Tuesday, May 23, 2006; pages D531 - D542

Committee Meetings

PAYING FOR COLLEGE

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on 21st Century
Competitiveness held a hearing on Paying for College: Innovative
Private-Sector Proposals to Complement Record Federal Investment in Student
Aid. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

ANTIFREEZE BITTERING ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous
[Materials] held a hearing on H.R. 2567, Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2005.
Testimony was heard from Representative Ackerman; Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator, EPA; and public witnesses.

GOVERNMENT'S PARTNERSHIP WITH PHARMACISTS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Examining the Federal Government's Partnership with America's
Pharmacists." Testimony was heard from Leslie Norwalk, Deputy Administrator,
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human
Services; and public witnesses.

SAVING RURAL AMERICA's RURAL HOUSING ACT OF 2006

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 5039, Saving
America's Rural Housing Act of 2006.

FEDERAL-LOCAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy,
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "FY 2007 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: Regina Schofield,
Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs; and Stuart Nash,
Associate Deputy Attorney General and Director, Organized Crime Drug
Enforcement Task Force; Scott Burns, Deputy Director, State and Local Affairs,
Office of National Drug Control Policy; and public witnesses.

PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE PRIVATE MARKET

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census held
a hearing entitled "Public Housing in the Competitive Market Place: Do
Affordable and Public Housing Developments Benefit from Private Market and
Other Financing Tools?" Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D539]

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS REAUTHORIZATION

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization held a hearing entitled "Office of Government Ethics
Reauthorization." Testimony was heard from Marilyn Glynn, Acting Director,
Office of Government Ethics.

BRIEFING--SHARING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION AMONG FEDERAL INTELLIGENCE PARTNERS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment met in executive session to receive a
briefing on sharing classified information among Federal intelligence
Partners: DHS access and information controls. The Subcommittee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.

EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE REFORM ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held a hearing on H.R. 435, Equal Access to Justice
Reform Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Ryan W. Bounds, Chief of Staff,
Office of Legal Policy, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.

ANIMAL ENTERPRISE TERRORISM ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held a hearing on H.R. 4239, Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.
Testimony was heard from Brent McIntosh, Deputy Assistant Attorney General,
Department of Justice; and public witnesses.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, OF 2007

Committee on Rules: Testimony was heard from Representatives Rogers of
Kentucky and Sabo, but action was deferred on H.R. 5441, making appropriations
for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2007.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR
2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 5427, making appropriations for energy and water
development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, equally divided and
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. Under the rules of the House the bill shall be read for amendment by
paragraph. 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 as
specified in the resolution. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority
in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with
or without instructions.

CONSUMER DATA PROTECTION PRACTICES

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight
held a hearing entitled "The Liabilities Driving Better Consumer Data
Protection Practices." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

IMPACTS OF RAILROAD-OWNED WASTE FACILITIES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held
a hearing on Impacts of Railroad-Owned Waste Facilities. Testimony was heard
from W. Douglas Buttrey, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board, Department of
Transportation; and public witnesses.

IMPROVING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing to
review Proposals to Improve Child Protective Services. Testimony was heard
from Cornelia Ashby, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, GAO;
and public witnesses.



2006/05/24
Daily Digest - Wednesday, May 24, 2006; pages D544 - D554

Committee Meetings

BORDER SECURITY--NATIONAL GUARD MISSION

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Border Security--Mission of the
National Guard. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Paul McHale, Assistant Secretary, Homeland Defense; MG
Richard J. Rowe, USA, Director, Operations, U.S. Northern Command; and LTG H.
Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard Bureau; and David Aguilar, Chief,
Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, Department of
Homeland Security.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported the following bills: H. R.
5438, Public Health and Medical Emergency Coordination Act of 2006; H.R. 3997,
amended, Financial Data Protection Act of 2006; and H. R. 5126, amended, Truth
in Caller ID Act of 2006.

VEHICLE AND FUELS TECHNOLOGY: NEXT GENERATION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held
a hearing entitled "Vehicle and Fuels Technology: Next Generation." Testimony
was heard from Alexander A. Karsner, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
5117, To exempt persons with disabilities from the prohibition against
providing section 8 rental assistant to college students; H.R. 4127, amended,
Data Accountability and Trust Act (DATA); H.R. 5341, amended, Seasoned
Customer CTR Exemption Act of 2006; H.R. 3043, amended, Zero Downpayment Pilot
Program Act of 2006; H.R. 5347, amended, HOPE VI Reauthorization Act of 2006;
and H.R. 5121, amended, Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2006.

'06 HURRICANE SEASON PREPAREDNESS

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Getting Ready for the
'06 Hurricane Season." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Homeland Security: George W. Foresman, Under Secretary,
Preparedness; and Robert Shea, Acting Director, Operations, FEMA; MG Terry L.
Scherling, USA, Director, Joint Staff, National Guard Bureau, Department of
Defense; ADM W. Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., USN, Assistant Surgeon General,
Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.

RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY

Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported adversely, without amendment,
H. Res. 809, Directing the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to
transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date
of the adoption of this resolution documents in the Secretary's possession
relating to any existing or previous agreement between the Department of
Homeland Security and Shirlington Limousine and Transportation, Incorporated,
of Arlington, Virginia.

CFIUS REFORM

Committee on Homeland Security: Committee also held a hearing entitled "The
Need for CFIUS Reform to Address Homeland Security Concerns." Testimony was
heard from Representatives Blunt and Maloney; Clay Lowery, Assistant
Secretary, International Affairs, Department of the Treasury; Stewart Baker;
Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning, and International Affairs, Department
of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

CHIEF INTELLIGENCE OFFICER PROGRESS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled "Examining the
Progress of the DHS Chief Intelligence Officer." Testimony was heard from
Charles E. Allen, Chief Intelligence Officer, Office of Intelligence and
Analysis, Department of Homeland Security.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and
Intellectual Property, approved for full Committee action the following bills:
H.R. 1458, as amended, To require any Federal or State court to recognize any
notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State
where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects
interstate commerce; H.R. 5440, Federal Courts Jurisdiction Clarification Act
of 2006; and H.R. 5439, Orphan Works Act of 2006.

                                    [Page: D551]

AMERICAN-MADE ENERGY AND GOOD JOBS ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing 1 hour of
debate on H.R. 5429, To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish and
implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an
environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production
of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain of Alaska, in the House
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on Resources. The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit.
Testimony was heard from Chairman Pombo.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
general debate on H.R. 5441, making appropriations for the Department of
Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, equally
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill. Under the rules of the House the bill shall be read
for amendment by paragraph. 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 as specified in the resolution. The rule authorizes the Chair to
accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their
amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion
to recommit with or without instructions.

SCIENCE POLICY/NOBEL LAUREATES

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards
held a hearing on the Views of the NIST Nobel Laureates on Science Policy.
Testimony was heard from the following Nobel Laureates, Physics: William
Phillips, 1997; Eric Cornell, 2001; and John Hall, 2005.

HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Understanding Contemporary
Public Private Highway Transactions: The Future of Infrastructure Finance?
Testimony was heard from the following Governors: Tim Kaine, Virginia; and
Mitch Daniels, Indiana; Matthew Garret, Director, Department of
Transportation, State of Oregon; and public witnesses.

HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION ACT

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health approved for full
Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4157, Health Information Technology
Promotion Act of 2005.



2006/05/25
Daily Digest - Thursday, May 25, 2006; pages D556 - D566

Committee Meetings

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED
APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007; REVISED SUBALLOCATION OF BUDGET ALLOCATIONS FY 2007

Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, as amended, the following
appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007: Legislative Branch; and the Foreign
Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs.

The Committee also approved Revised Suballocation of Budget Allocations for
Fiscal Year 2007.

DOD HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on Applying Lessons Learned From Hurricane
Katrina: How the Department of Defense Is Preparing for the Upcoming Hurricane
Season. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Defense: Paul McHale, Assistant Secretary, Homeland Defense; LTG H. Steven
Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard Bureau; and MG Richard J. Rowe, USA,
Director, Operations, U.S. Northern Command; MG C. Mark Bowen, USA (ret.), The
Adjutant General, State of Alabama; and MG Douglas Burnett, USAF, The Adjutant
General, State of Florida.

LINE-ITEM VETO

Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Line-Item Veto, Perspectives on
Applications and Effects. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS' RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 2048,
Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2005.

SEC INVESTOR PROTECTION

Committee on Financial Services: Continued hearings entitled "Protecting
Investors and Fostering Efficient Markets: A Review of the S.E.C. Agenda."
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION OVERSIGHT

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Oversight of the Office of Thrift Supervision."
Testimony was heard from John M. Reich, Director, Office of Thrift
Supervision; and public witnesses.

NUCLEAR SMUGGLING PREVENTION

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack held a hearing entitled "Enlisting Foreign Cooperation in
U.S. Efforts to Prevent Nuclear Smuggling." Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Jayson Ahern,
Assistant Commissioner, Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection; and
Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office; David Huizenga,
Assistant Deputy Administrator, International Material Protection and
Cooperation, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy;
and Frank Record, Acting Assistant Secretary, International Security and
Nonproliferation, Department of State.

OVERSIGHT--SMITHSONIAN BUSINESS VENTURES

Committee on House Administration: Held a hearing entitled "Oversight Hearing
on the Smithsonian Business Ventures." Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Smithsonian Institution: Lawrence M. Small, Secretary; Alice
C. Maroni, Chief Financial Officer; Gary M. Beer, Chief Executive Officer,
Smithsonian Business Ventures; and John E. Huerta, General Counsel; and public
witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered the following
measures and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that they be
considered on the Suspension Calendar: H.R. 860, To provide for the conveyance
of the reversionary interest of the United States in certain lands to the
Clint Independent School District, El Paso County, Texas; H.R. 5247, amended,
Support for the Museum of the History of the Polish Jews Act of 2006; H.R.
5333, Shoulder-fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 2006; H. Con. Res. 338,
Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the activities of Islamist
terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere; H. Con. Res. 408, amended,
Commending the Government of Canada for its renewed commitment to the Global
War on Terror; H. Con. Res. 409, Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the
ascension to the throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand; H.
Res. 608, amended, Condemning the escalating levels of religious persecution
in the People's Republic of China; H. Res. 784, Commending and supporting
Radio Al Mahaba, Iraq's first and only radio station for women; H. Res. 792,
Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the independence of Guyana and extending
best wishes to Guyana for peace and further progress, development, and
prosperity; H. Res. 794, amended, Recognizing the 17th anniversary of the
massacre in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in the People's Republic of China; H.
Res. 799, Congratulating the people of Ukraine for conducting free, fair, and
transparent parliamentary elections on March 26, 2006, and commending their
commitment to democracy and reform; H. Res. 804, Condemning the unauthorized,
inappropriate, and coerced ordination of Catholic bishops by the People's
Republic of China; and H. Res. 828, Commending the people of Mongolia, on the
800th anniversary of Mongolian statehood, for building strong, democratic
institutions, and expressing the support of the House of Representatives for
efforts by the United States to continue to strengthen its partnership with
that country.

                                    [Page: D564]

WORLD HUNGER CRISIS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on the World Hunger Crisis.
Testimony was heard from Michael E. Hess, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for
Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, U.S. Agency for International
Development, Department of State; Tony P. Hall, former U.S. Ambassador to the
United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture; and public witnesses.

The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. The Subcommittee was
briefed by James T. Morris, Executive Director, United Nations World Food
Program.

A.Q. KHAN NETWORK: CASE CLOSED?

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism
and Nonproliferation held a hearing on the A.Q. Khan Network: Case Closed?
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

U.S.-CANADA RELATIONS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
held a hearing on U.S.-Canada Relations. Testimony was heard from David M.
Spooner, Assistant Secretary, Import Administration, International Trade
Administration, Department of Commerce; and Elizabeth A. Whitaker, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Mexico, Canada, and Public Diplomacy, Bureau of Western
Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State.

The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. The Subcommittee was
briefed by His Excellency Michael Wilson, Ambassador of Canada to the United
States.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills:
H.R. 5417, Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006; H.R. 4777,
Internet Gambling Prohibition Act; H.R. 4411, Unlawful Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act of 2006; H.R. 4894, To provide for certain access to national
crime information databases by schools and educational agencies for employment
purposes, with respect to individuals who work with children; H.R. 5318,
Cyber-Security Enhancement and Consumer Data Protection Act of 2006; and H.R.
4127, Data Accountability and Trust Act (DATA).

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 4275, To amend Public Law 106-348 to extend the
authorization for establishing a memorial in the District of Columbia or its
environs to honor veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed
Forces of the United States; H.R. 5057, To authorize the Marion Park Project
and Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a
commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its
environs to honor BG Francis Marion; and S. 1627, Delaware National Coastal
Special Resources Study Act. Testimony was heard from Senator Carper;
Representatives Kelly and Castle; Don Murphy, Deputy Director, National Park
Service, Department of the Interior; Timothy A. Slavin, Director, Division of
Historical and Cultural Affairs, State of Delaware; and public witnesses.

REFINERY PERMIT PROCESS SCHEDULE ACT

Committee on Rules: Committee granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a closed rule
providing 1 hour of debate in the House on H.R. 5254, Refinery Permit Process
Schedule Act, 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. Finally, the rule provides
one motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Chairman Barton and
Representatives Dingell and Allen.

UNLOCKING CHARITABLE GIVING

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture
and Technology held a hearing entitled "Unlocking Charitable Giving."
Testimony was heard from Representative Blunt; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D565]

OVERSIGHT--RECENT THEFT OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION REGARDING MILLIONS OF
VETERANS

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on the recent theft
of sensitive information belonging to as many as 26.5 million veterans and
spouses from a VA employee's home. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: R. James Nicholson,
Secretary; and George J. Opfer, Inspector General; and public witnesses.

CHARITIES' EMPLOYMENT TAX COMPLIANCE

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on
Charities and Employment Taxes: Are Charities in the Combined Federal Campaign
Meeting their Employment Tax Responsibilities? Testimony was heard from
Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special
Investigations, GAO; Steven T. Miller, Commissioner, Tax-Exempt and Government
Entities Division, IRS, Department of the Treasury; and James S. Green,
Associate General Counsel, Compensation, Benefits, Products and Services
Group, OPM.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS

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



2006/05/26
Daily Digest - Friday, May 26, 2006; pages D567 - D570

Committee Meetings

MEDIA'S LEAKS OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a hearing on Media's Role and
Responsibilities on Leaks of Classified Information. Testimony was heard from
Gabriel Schoenfeld, Senior Editor, Commentary magazine; Walter Isaacson,
President and CEO, Aspen Institute; John C. Eastman, Professor, Chapman
University School of Law; and Jonathon Turley, Professor, George Washington
School of Law.



2006/06/05
Daily Digest - Monday, June 5, 2006; pages D571 - D576

Committee Meetings

OVERSIGHT--RECKLESS JUSTICE: DID THE SATURDAY NIGHT RAID OF CONGRESS TRAMPLE
THE CONSTITUTION?

Committee on the Judiciary: On May 30, the Committee held an oversight hearing
entitled "Reckless Justice: Did the Saturday Night Raid of Congress Trample
the Constitution?" Testimony was heard from former Representative Robert S.
Walker of Pennsylvania; and public witnesses.



2006/06/06
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 6, 2006; pages D577 - D584

Committee Meetings

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007

Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, as amended, the Departments of
Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary,
District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies appropriations for Fiscal Year
2007.

The Committee also approved Revised Suballocation of Budget Allocations for
Fiscal Year 2007.

SILICOSIS STORY

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
continued hearings entitled "The Silicosis Story: Mass Tort Screening and the
Public Health." Testimony was heard from following officials of the State of
Mississippi: Robert W. Goff, Director, Division of Radiological Health,
Department of Health; and Mallan G. Morgan, M.D., Executive Director, Board of
Medical Licensure; the following officials of the State of Texas: Richard A.
Ratliff, Radiation Control Officer, Division of Regulatory Services,
Department of Health Services; and Donald Patrick, M.D., Executive Director,
Medical Board; and public witnesses.

OFHEO'S FINAL REPORT ON FANNIE MAE

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance,
and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled "OFHEO's Final
Report on Fannie Mae." Testimony was heard from James B. Lockhart III, Acting
Director, Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Department of
Housing and Urban Development.

9/11 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS: BALANCING CIVIL LIBERTIES AND SECURITY

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "9/11 Commission
Recommendations: Balancing Civil Liberties and Security." Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks
Upon the United States: Thomas H. Kean, Chair, and Lee H. Hamilton, Vice
Chair; the following officials of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight
Board, The White House: Carol E. Dinkins, Chairman; and Alan Charles Raul,
Vice Chairman; and public witnesses.

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour
of general debate on H.R. 5521, making appropriations for the Legislative
Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, equally divided and
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. The rule provides that the bill shall be considered as read. 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). 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
accompanying the resolution 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 Representatives LaHood, Baird and Cleaver.



2006/06/07
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 7, 2006; pages D586 - D594

Committee Meetings

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
and approved for full Committee action the Defense appropriations for Fiscal
Year 2007.

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies approved for full
Committee action the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education, and Related Agencies appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007.

BOUTIQUE FUEL REDUCTION ACT OF 2006

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing on the Boutique Fuel
Reduction Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Karen A. Harbert, Assistant
Secretary, Office of Policy and International Affairs, Department of Energy;
Robert J. Meyers, Associate Assistant Administrator, Air and Radiation, EPA;
and public witnesses.

HURRICANE SEASON FUEL SUPPLY ISSUES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a
hearing entitled "Keeping the Fuel Flowing from the Gulf: Are We Prepared for
the Hurricane Season?" Testimony was heard from GEN David L. Johnson, USAF
(ret.) Director, National Weather Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; ADM
Thomas Barrett, USCG (ret.) Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration, Department of Transportation; Guy Caruso,
Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy; and
public witnesses.

GSA FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Finance, and Accountability held a hearing entitled "Financial Management
Challenges at the General Services Administration." Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the GSA: Kathleen Turco, Chief Financial Officer;
and Eugene L. Waszily, Jr., Assistant Inspector General, Auditing.

BRIEFING--RECENT GRANT AWARDS TO STATES AND URBAN AREAS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Science, and Technology meet in executive session to receive a briefing on the
recently announced grant awards to States and urban areas under the State
Homeland Security Grant Program, the Urban Area Security Initiative, and the
Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program. The Subcommittee was briefed by
Tracy Henke, Assistant Secretary, Grants and Training, Department of Homeland
Security.

SYRIA ACCOUNTABILITY/LEBANESE SOVEREIGNTY

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and
Central Asia held a hearing on Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty
Restoration Act Two Years Later: Next Steps for U.S. Policy. Testimony was
heard from Representative Engel; Theodore Kattouf, former Ambassador to Syria;
and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 4019,
amended, To amend title 4 of the United States Code to clarify the treatment
of self-employment for purposes of the limitation on State taxation of
retirement income; H.R. 1595, Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act; and
H.R. 2840, amended, Federal Agency Protection of Privacy Act of 2005. The
Committee also began markup of H.R. 2389, Pledge Protection Act of 2005.

COMMUNICATIONS OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTION, AND ENHANCEMENT ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 8 to 3, a structured rule providing
one hour of general debate on H.R. 5252, Communications Opportunity,
Promotion, and Enhancement Act, 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
provides that the bill 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 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 amendments, 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
Barton of Texas and Representatives Upton, Sensenbrenner, Tom Davis of
Virginia, Gutknecht, Peterson of Pennsylvania, Dingell, Markey, Rush, Stupak,
Doyle, Solis, Gonzalez, Baldwin, Conyers, Hinchey, and Bean.

                                    [Page: D591]

FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCE, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of
general debate on H.R. 5522, making appropriations for foreign operations,
export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2007, and for other purposes, equally divided and controlled by the
chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The
rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Under the
rules of the House the bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. The rule
waives all 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 as specified in the
resolution. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to
Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record.
Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Kolbe and Lowey.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Science: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R.
5356, Early Career Research Act; H.R. 5358, Science and Mathematics Education
for Competitiveness Act; and H.R. 5136, National Integrated Drought
Information System Act of 2006.

INTERNET CONTRACTING BARRIERS

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "Contracting the
Internet: Does ICANN create a barrier to small business?" Testimony was heard
from former Representative Richard A. White of the State of Washington; and
public witnesses.

HOUSE TRAVEL RULES--RECOMMENDATIONS ON CHANGES

Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Held a hearing regarding possible
changes to House rules governing gifts of travel (including any
transportation, lodging and meals during such travel) from private sources.
Testimony was heard from John Engler, former Governor of Michigan and
President and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers; Bradley Gordon,
Director, Legislation, American Israel Political Action Committee; Chellie
Pingree, President and CEO, Common Cause; Rev. W. Douglas Tanner, President,
Faith and Politics Institute; and Michael Franc, Vice President, Heritage
Foundation.

OVERSIGHT--IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETEA: LU

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Implementation of SAFETEA:
LU. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Transportation: Richard Capka, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration;
Sandra Bushue, Acting Administrator, Federal Transit Administration;
Jacqueline Glassman, Acting Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration; John H. Hill, Acting Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration; and Ashok G. Kaveeshwar, Administrator, Research and
Innovative Technology Administration.

OVERSIGHT--REVIEW VA'S MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH PROGRAM

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing to review the
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Prosthetic Research program.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans
Affairs: Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., Under Secretary, Health; and Joel
Kupersmith, M.D., Chief Research and Development Officer; and representatives
of veterans organizations.

BRIEFING--TARGET ANALYSIS AS A NEW CAREER TRACK

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human
Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Target Analysis as a New Career Track; Direct Analytical
Support to Operations. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses.



2006/06/08
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 8, 2006; pages D595 - D602

Committee Meetings

IRANIAN THREAT ASSESSMENT

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Assessing the Iranian Threat,
Its Geopolitics, and U.S. Policy Options. Testimony was heard from Patrick
Clawson, Deputy Director, Research, The Washington Institute for Near East
Policy; and Ray Takeyh, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, Council on
Foreign Relations.

LINE ITEM VETO, CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES

Committee on the Budget: Continued hearings on the Line Item Veto,
Constitutional Issues. Testimony was heard from Louis Fisher, Specialist at
the Law Library, Library of Congress; and public witnesses

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health approved for full
Committee action the following: S. 655, A bill to amend the Public Health
Service Act with respect to the National Foundation for the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention; the Community Health Center Reauthorization
Act of 2006; the Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Payment
Program Reauthorization Act of 2006; and H.R. 4157, amended, Health
Information Technology Promotion Act of 2005.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 5443,
amended, Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2006; H.R. 5393, Natural Disaster
Housing Reform Act of 2006; H.R. 5527, Mark-to-Market Extension Act of 2006;
and H.R. 4804, amended, FHA Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of
2006.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.
Res. 826, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National
Youth Sports Week should be established; H.R. 1167, amended, To amend the
Truth in Regulating Act to make permanent the pilot project for the report on
rules; H.R. 4416, To reauthorize permanently the use of penalty and franked
mail in efforts relating to the location and recovery of missing children;
H.R. 4809, Regulation in Plain Language Act of 2006; H.R. 5216, Preservation
of Records of Servitude, Emancipation, and Post-Civil War Reconstruction Act
of 2006; H.R. 5525, Reservists Pay Security Act of 2006; S. 959, amended,
Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act; H.R. 5169,
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1310
Highway 64 NW, in Ramsey, Indiana, as the "Wilfred Edward `Cousin Willie'
Sieg, Sr. Post Office;" H.R. 5194, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 8801 Sudley Road in Manassas, Virginia, as
the "Harry J. Parrish Post Office Building;" H.R. 5224, To designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 350 Uinta Drive in
Green River, Wyoming as the "Curt Gowdy Post Office Building;" H.R. 5426, To
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 326
South Main Street in Princeton, Illinois as the "Congressman Owen Lovejoy Post
Office Building;" H.R. 5428, To designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 202 East Washington Street in Morris, Illinois, as
the "Joshua A. Terando Princeton Post Office Building;" H.R. 5434, To
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 40 South
Walnut Street in Chillicothe, Ohio, as the "Larry Cox Post Office;" H.R. 5504,
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service at 6029
Broadmoor Street in Mission, Kansas, as the "Larry Winn, Jr. Post Office
Building; H.R. 5540, To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 217 Southeast 2nd Street in Dimmitt, Texas, as the "Sgt.
Jacob Dan Dones Post Office;" H. Res. 498, Supporting the goals and ideals of
School Bus Safety Week; and S. 1445, A bill to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 520 Colorado Avenue in Arriba,
Colorado, as the "William H. Emery Post Office."

SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION AT FEDERAL AGENCIES

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Once More into the
Data Breach: The Security of Personal Information at Federal Agencies."
Testimony was heard from Clay Johnson III, Deputy Director, Management, OMB;
R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs; David M. Walker,
Comptroller General, GAO; William E. Gray, Deputy Commissioner, Systems, SSA;
and Daniel Galik, Chief Mission Assurance and Security Services, IRS,
Department of the Treasury.

OVERSIGHT--ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

Committee on House Administration: Held a hearing entitled "Oversight Hearing
on the Election Assistance Commission." Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Election Assistance Commission: Paul S. DeGregorio, Chairman;
Ray Martinez III, Vice Chairman; Donetta L. Davidson and Gracia M. Hillman,
both Commissioners.

                                    [Page: D601]

OVERSIGHT--REVIEW IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION

Committee on International Relations: Held an oversight hearing to review Iraq
Reconstruction. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of State: James Jeffrey, Senior Advisor to Secretary Rice and
Coordinator for Iraq; and James R. Kunder, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for
Asia and the Near East, U.S. Agency for International Development; and Stuart
W. Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General, Iraq Reconstruction.

OVERSIGHT--REMOVING AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURIAL OBSTACLES

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Rights
and International Operations held an oversight hearing on Removing Obstacles
for African Entrepreneurs. Testimony was heard from Manuel A. Rosales,
Assistant Administrator, Office of International Trade, SBA; and public
witnesses.

PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS IMPLEMENTATION ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.R. 4772, Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2005. Testimony was
heard from Daniel L. Siegel, Supervising Deputy Attorney General, State of
California; and public witnesses.

REFORMING MECHANICAL MUSIC LICENSING

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and
Intellectual Property approved for full Committee action H.R. 5553, Section
115 Reform Act of 2006.

OVERSIGHT--WESTERN HEMISPHERE PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims held an oversight hearing entitled "The Need to Implement WHTI to
Protect U.S. Homeland Security." Testimony was heard from Paul Rosenzweig,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Policy Development, Department of Homeland
Security; and public witnesses.

NOAA'S WEATHER SATELLITE PROGRAM

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on The Future of NPOESS: Results of the
Nunn-McCurdy Review of NOAA's Weather Satellite Program. Testimony was heard
from Ronald M. Sega, Under Secretary, Air Force, Department of Defense; VADM
Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN, (Ret.) Under Secretary, Oceans and
Atmosphere, and Administrator, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and Michael
Griffin, Administrator, NASA.

BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Reauthorization of the Brownfields
Program--Successes and Future Challenges. Testimony was heard from Susan
Parker Bodine, Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response, EPA; John M. Magill, Deputy Director, Department of Development,
State of Ohio; and public witnesses.

VETERANS MEASURES--OVERSIGHT--VA'S FIDUCIARY PROGRAM

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R.
601, Native American Veterans Cemetery Act of 2005; and H.R. 4843, Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006.

The Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the Veterans Benefits
Administration's fiduciary program, including implementation of Title V of
Public Law 108-454. Testimony was heard from Renee L. Szybala, Director,
Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department
of Veterans Affairs.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS

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



2006/06/09
Daily Digest - Friday, June 9, 2006; pages D604 - D610

Committee Meetings

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY--CYBER SECURITY CHALLENGES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Cyber Security Challenges at the Department of
Energy." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Energy: Gregory Friedman, Inspector General; Glenn S. Podonsky, Director,
Office of Security and Safety Performance Assessment; Tom Pyke, Chief
Information Officer; Linton F. Brooks, Administrator, National Nuclear
Security Administration; and David K. Garman, Under Secretary, Energy,
Science, and Environment.

CONFERENCE REPORT--EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR DEFENSE, THE
GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, AND HURRICANE RECOVERY, 2006

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order
against the conference report to accompany H.R. 4939, making emergency
supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and
against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall
be considered as read. Testimony was heard from Chairman Lewis.



2006/06/12
Daily Digest - Monday, June 12, 2006; pages D612 - D616

Committee Meetings

SAME-DAY CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule
XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from
the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any special rule reported
on the legislative day of June 13, 2006, providing for consideration of the
bill (H.R. 5576) making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation,
Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of
Columbia, and independent agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2007, and for other purposes.



2006/06/13
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 13, 2006; pages D618 - D626

Committee Meetings

DEFENSE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007

Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, as amended, the following
appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007: Defense; and the Department of Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

NATIONAL DEFENSE ENHANCEMENT AND NATIONAL GUARD EMPOWERMENT ACT

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on issues related to H.R. 5200,
National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense;
ADM Edmund P. Giambastiani, USN, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gordon
R. England, Deputy Secretary; GEN Richard Cody, USA, Vice Chief of Staff,
Department of the Army; and GEN John. D.W. Corley, USAF, Vice Chief of Staff,
Department of the Air Force; BG Stephen M. Koper, USAF (Ret.), President,
National Guard Association of the United States; and MG Francis D. Vavala,
USA, Vice President, Adjutants General Association of the United States.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled "No Child
Left Behind: Disaggregating Student Achievement by Subgroups To Ensure All
Students Are Learning." Testimony was heard from Raymond Simon, Deputy
Secretary, Department of Education; Ronald A. Peiffer, Deputy State
Superintendent, Department of Education, State of Maryland; and public
witnesses.

                                    [Page: D623]

NIH HUMAN TISSUE RESEARCH POLICIES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Human Tissue Samples: NIH Research Policies and
Practices." Testimony was heard from Susan Molchan, M.D., Program Director, AD
Neuroimaging Initiative, Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program,
National Institute on Aging, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services.

Hearings continue tomorrow.

HOME MORTGAGE DISCLOSURE ACT

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and
Consumer Credit held a hearing entitled "Home Mortgage Disclosure Act: Newly
Collected Data and What It Means." Testimony was heard from Mark W. Olson,
member, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; and public witnesses.

HEALTH IT/FEDERAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization continued hearings entitled "Healthier Feds and Families:
Introducing Information Technology into the Federal Employees Health Benefits
Program, a Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4859, (Federal Family Health
Information Technology Act of 2006). Part II." Testimony was heard from
Representative Clay; Dan Green, Deputy Associate Director, Center for Employee
and Family Support Policy, OPM; and public witnesses.

PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "Private Security
Firms: Standards, Cooperation and Coordination on the Battlefield." Testimony
was heard from William M. Solis, Director, Defense Capabilities and
Management, GAO; Shay Assad, Director, Defense Procurement and Acquisition
Policy, Department of Defense; the following officials of the Department of
State: Greg Starr, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Diplomatic Security;
and James Kunder, Assistant Administrator, Near East and Africa, U.S. Agency
for International Development; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--STATE TAXATION OF INTERSTATE TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on Oversight of State Taxation of Interstate Telecommunications
Services. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

CRIMINAL RESTITUTION IMPROVEMENT ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held a hearing on the Criminal Restitution Improvement Act of 2006.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
general debate on H.R. 5576, Making appropriations for the Departments of
Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary,
District of Columbia, and independent agencies for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points
of order against consideration of the bill. Under the rules of the House the
bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. 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 as specified in the resolution. The rule
authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have
pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

RESOLUTION--IRAQ WAR ON TERROR

Committee on Rules: Heard testimony from Chairmen Hyde and Hunter;
Representatives Paul, Jones of North Carolina, Lantos, Abercrombie, and
Woolsey, but action was deferred on H. Res. 861, Declaring that the United
States will complete the mission in Iraq and prevail in the Global War on
Terror, the struggle to protect freedom from the terrorist adversary.

NASA WORKFORCE

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
"The NASA Workforce: Does NASA Have the Right Strategy and Policies to Retain
and Build the Workforce It Will Need?" Testimony was heard from Toni Dawsey,
Assistant Administrator, Human Capital Management, NASA; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D624]

RAIL TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held
a hearing on Current Issues in Rail Transportation of Hazardous Materials.
Testimony was heard from Representative Pomeroy; Joseph Boardman,
Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation;
Robert J. Chipkevich, Director, Office of Railroad, Pipeline, and Hazardous
Materials Investigations, National Transportation Safety Board; and public
witnesses. 



2006/06/14
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 14, 2006; pages D627 - D636

Committee Meetings

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS FOR FY 2007

Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Science, The Departments of
State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee
action the Science, The Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and
Related Agencies appropriations for fiscal year 2007.

LEGISLATIVE LINE ITEM VETO ACT OF 2006

Committee on the Budget: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4890, Legislative
Line Item Veto Act of 2006.

                                    [Page: D633]

WORKPLACE HEALTH/SAFETY STANDARDS

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections held a hearing entitled "Addressing Concerns About the U.S.
Department of Labor's Use of Non-Consensus Standards in Workplace Health and
Safety." Testimony was heard from Edwin Foulke, Jr., Assistant Secretary,
Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor; and
public witnesses.

VIOLENT/EXPLICIT VIDEO GAMES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing on Violent and Explicit Video Games:
Informing Parents and Protecting Children. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

NIH HUMAN TISSUE RESEARCH POLICIES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
continued hearings entitled "Human Tissue Samples: NIH Research Policies and
Practices." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the National
Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services: Thomas R.
Insel, M.D., Director; and Trey Sunderland, M.D., Chief, Geriatric Psychiatry
Branch, both with the National Institute of Mental Health; and Michael M.
Gottesman, M.D., Deputy Director, Intramural Research; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
5337, amended, Reform of National Security Reviews of Foreign Direct
Investments Act; H.R. 5068, amended, Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of
2006; H.R. 2990, amended, Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act of 2005;
H.R. 5024, amended, Promoting Transparency in Financial Reporting Act of 2006;
H.R. 5585, amended, Financial Netting Improvements Act of 2006; H.R. 5039,
amended, Saving America's Rural Housing Act of 2006; H.R. 4804, FHA
Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2006; H.R. 5527, amended,
Mark-to-Market Extension Act of 2006; H.R. 5393, Natural Disaster Housing
Reform Act of 2006; and H.R. 5443, amended, Section 8 Voucher Reform Act.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported, as amended, the following
bills: H.R. 3197, Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Act of 2005; H.R. 4941,
Homeland Security Science and Technology Enhancement Act of 2006; and H.R.
4942, Promoting Antiterrorism Capabilities Through International Cooperation
Act.

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION'S OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled "Transportation
Security Administration's Office of Intelligence: Progress and Challenges."
Testimony was heard from Bill Gaches, Assistant Administrator, Intelligence,
Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security; and
Cathleen A. Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, GAO.

HURRICANE KATRINA AFTERMATH WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing
entitled "Waste, Fraud and Abuse in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina."
Testimony was heard from Donna Dannels, Acting Deputy Director, Office of
Recovery, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security; Gregory D. Kutz, Managing
Director, Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, GAO; and a public
witness.

WORLD CUP AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Modern-Day Slavery:
Spotlight on the 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report, Forced Labor, and Sex
Trafficking at the World Cup. Testimony was heard from John Miller, Director,
Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Department of State; and public
witnesses.

The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. The Subcommittee was
briefed by Julia Ormond, Goodwill Ambassador for the Abolition of Slavery and
Human Trafficking, Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nations.

DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTION THROUGH OFFSHORE EXPLORATION AND EQUITABLE
TREATMENT OF STATE HOLDINGS ACT OF 2006

Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 4761, Domestic Energy
Production through Offshore Exploration and Equitable Treatment of State
Holdings Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Johnnie Burton, Acting
Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management, Department of the Interior;
Senator Frank W. Wagner, Senate, State of Virginia; Colleen M. Castille,
Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection, State of Florida; Terry
Cleveland, Director, Game and Fish Department, State of Wyoming; and public
witnesses.

                                    [Page: D634]

RESOLUTION--IRAQ WAR ON TERROR

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 6 to 4, a closed rule providing 10
hours of debate in the House on H. Res. 861, Declaring that the United States
will complete the mission in Iraq and prevail in the Global War on Terror, the
struggle to protect freedom from the terrorist adversary, equally divided and
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
International Relations, the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Armed Services, the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on the Judiciary and the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The rule waives all points of
order against consideration of the resolution. The rule provides one motion to
recommit which may not contain instructions. Finally, the rule provides that,
notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone
further consideration of the resolution to a time designated by the Speaker.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ACT

Committee on Science: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5450, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act.

OVERSIGHT--DEEPWATER IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on Deepwater
Implementation. Testimony was heard from ADM Thad W. Allen, USCG, Commandant,
U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

OVERSIGHT--INFORMATION SECURITY AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on information
security at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from
Michael Staley, Assistant Inspector General, Audit, Department of Veterans
Affairs; and the following officials of the GAO: Linda Koontz, Director,
Information Management Issues; and Gregory Wilshusen, Director, Information
Security Issues.

MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Implementation of the
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Michael O. Leavitt,
Secretary; and Mark McClellan, M.D., Administrator, Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services; Michael Starkowski, Deputy Commissioner, Department of
Social Services, State of Connecticut; and public witnesses.



2006/06/15
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 15, 2006 ; pages D638 - D644

Committee Meetings

CROP INSURANCE PROGRAM

Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk
Management held a hearing to review Efforts to Eliminate Waste, Fraud and
Abuse in the Crop Insurance Program. Testimony was heard from Eldon Gould,
Administrator, Risk Management Agency, USDA; Daniel Bertoni, Acting Director,
Natural Resources and Environment Division, GAO; and public witnesses.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PUBLIC LANDS EFFECTS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Effects of Illegal Immigration on Public
and Tribal Lands. Testimony was heard from Representatives Tancredo and
Grijalva; the following officials of the Department of the Interior: William
T. Civish, District Manager, Dila District, Bureau of Land Management; and
Selanhongva McDonald, Southwestern Regional Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs;
and public witnesses.

COMBAT EQUIPMENT--IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces,
hearing to receive an update on the use of combat helmets, vehicle armor, and
body armor by ground forces in Operation Iraq Freedom and Operation Enduring
Freedom. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Defense: MG Stephen M. Speakes, USA, Director, Force Development, Army G8; MG
William D. Catto, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Systems Command;
Roger M. Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Littoral and Mine
Warfare; and MG (sel) Gary McCoy, USAF, Director, Logistics Readiness, Office
of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Installations and Mission Support.

                                    [Page: D642]

HEALTH MEASURES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported the following measures: S.
655, amended, A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to
the National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
H.R. 5573, Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006; H.R. 5574, amended, Children's
Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2006; H. Con. Res. 426,
Recognizing the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health and
Human Services on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the
Food and Drugs Act for the important service it provides to the Nation; and
H.R. 4157, amended, Health Information Technology Promotion Act of 2005.

SILICOSIS INVESTIGATION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
approved a motion authorizing the issuance of subpoenas in connection with the
Committee's investigation on silicosis.

NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA'S HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Regional Insecurity:
DHS Grants to the National Capital Area." Testimony was heard from George W.
Foresman, Under Secretary, Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security;
Edward D. Reiskin, Deputy Mayor, Public Safety and Justice, District of
Columbia; Robert Crouch, Assistant to the Governor for Preparedness, State of
Virginia; Dennis Schrader, Director, Office of Homeland Security, State of
Maryland; and David Robertson, Executive Director, Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments.

HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT--SHIRLINGTON LIMO CASE

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and
Oversight held a hearing entitled "An Examination of the Department of
Homeland Security's Procurement Process Regarding Shirlington Limousine and
Transportation, Inc." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Homeland Security: Elaine C. Duke, Chief Procurement Officer;
and Kevin Boshears, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization; and Calvin Jenkins, Deputy to the Associate Deputy Administrator,
SBA.

NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROPERTY--PREVENT DISCRIMINATORY TAXATION

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
approved for full Committee action H.R. 1369, To prevent discriminatory
taxation of natural gas pipeline property.

OVERSIGHT--PATENT TROLLS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held an oversight hearing on Patent Trolls: Fact or
Fiction? Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

FISHERIES/HATCHERY MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held a hearing on
the following bills: H.R. 4957, Tylersville Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act; H.R.
5061, Paint Bank and Wytheville National Fish Hatcheries Conveyance Act; and
H.R. 5381, National Fish Hatchery System Volunteer Act. Testimony was heard
from Representative Boucher; Mamie Parker, Assistant Director, Fisheries and
Habitat Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the
Interior; Douglas Austen, Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, State
of Pennsylvania; Gary Martel, Director, Fisheries, Department of Game and
Inland Fisheries, State of Virginia; and public witnesses.

LEGISLATIVE LINE ITEM VETO ACT

Committee on Rules: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4890, Legislative Line
Item Veto Act of 2006.

OVERSIGHT--INTERMODALISM

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Intermodalism. Testimony
was heard from Jeffrey Shane, Under Secretary, Transportation Policy,
Department of Transportation; Katherine Siggerud, Director, Physical
Infrastructure Issues, GAO; J. Robert Bray, Executive Director, Port
Authority, State of Virginia; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--RECENT PATIENT SAFETY ISSUES

Committee on Veterans Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held an oversight hearing on recent patient safety issues. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: James P.
Bagian, M.D., VHA Chief Patient Safety Officer and Director, VA National
Center for Patient Safety; and John D. Daigh, Jr., M.D., Assistant Inspector
General, Healthcare Inspections; Daniel Schultz, M.D., Director, Center for
Devices and Radiological Health, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services;
and Laurie Ekstrand, Director, Health Care, GAO.

                                    [Page: D643]

HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION ACT OF 2006

Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4157, Health
Information Technology Promotion Act of 2006.

SSA's IMPROVED DISABILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
the Social Security Administration's Improved Disability Determination
Process. Testimony was heard from Jo Anne B. Barnhart, Commissioner, SSA;
Robert E. Robertson, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security
Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.



2006/06/16
Daily Digest - Friday, June 16, 2006; pages D645 - D652

Committee Meetings

D.C. DISABLED SERVICES

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Disabled Services in
the District of Columbia: Who is Protecting the Rights of D.C.'s Most
Vulnerable Residents?" Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
District of Columbia: Robert C. Bobb, Deputy Mayor/City Manager; and Brenda
Donald Walker, Deputy Mayor, Children, Youth, Families and Elders; and public
witnesses.

SYNTHETIC DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "Evaluating the Synthetic Drug
Control Strategy." Testimony was heard from Scott Burns, Deputy Director,
State and Local Affairs, Office of National Drug Control Policy; Uttam
Dhillon, Director, Office of Counter-Narcotics Enforcement. Department of
Homeland Security; Joseph Rannazzissi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office
of Diversion Control, DEA, Department of Justice; Don Young, Assistant
Secretary, Planning and Evaluation, Department of Health and Human Services;
and public witnesses.

SCREENING APPLIED FAIRLY AND EQUITABLE TO TRUCKERS ACT OF 2006

Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity held a hearing on H.R. 5604, SAFE
Truckers Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Robert Jamison, Deputy
Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland
Security; and public witnesses.



2006/06/19
Daily Digest - Monday, June 19, 2006; pages D654 - D658

Committee Meetings

NRC'S REACTOR OVERSIGHT PROCESS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "A Review of NRC's Reactor Oversight Process."
Testimony was heard from Jim Wells, Director of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Natural Resources, and the Environment, GAO; Edward McGaffigan,
Jr., Commissioner, NRC; and a public witness.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
general debate on H.R. 5631, Making appropriations for the Department of
Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, equally divided and
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. Under the rules of the House the bill shall be read for amendment by
paragraph. The rule waives all 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). The rule
authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have
pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Young of Florida and Sabo.



2006/06/20
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 20, 2006; pages D659 - D668

Committee Meetings

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS FOR FY 2007

Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, as amended, the Science, The
Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies
appropriations for fiscal year 2007.

DOD FORCE REALIGNMENTS

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on significant force realignments
of the Department of Defense, including beddown, support, and other costs and
requirements related to those realignments. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Ryan Henry, Principal Under
Secretary, Policy; Philip W. Grone, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and
Environment; and RADM William D. Sullivan, USN, Vice Director, Strategic Plans
and Policy, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported the following measures:
H.R. 5534, To establish a grant program whereby moneys collected from
violations of the corporate average fuel economy program are used to expand
infrastructure necessary to increase the availability of alternative fuels;
H.R. 5632, amended, To amend Chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code, to
establish a national tire fuel efficiency consumer information program; H.R.
5611, amended, Fuel Consumption Education Act; a measure to study and promote
the use of energy efficient computer servers in the United States; and H.R.
2730, United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act.

PRIVACY IN THE COMMERCIAL WORLD

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled "Privacy in the Commercial World
II." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS INCENTIVES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census held
a hearing entitled "Poverty, Public Housing and the CRA: Have Housing and
Community Investment Incentives Helped Public Housing Families Achieve the
American Dream?" Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

NAVAJO-HOPI SETTLEMENT AMENDMENTS OF 2005

Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on S. 1003, Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement
Amendments of 2005. Testimony was heard from William Pat Ragsdale, Director,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

VOTING RIGHTS REAUTHORIZATION AND AMENDMENTS ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 90
minutes of general debate on H.R. 9, Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta
Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act, 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 provides that the amendment in the nature
of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary 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 he 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 Sensenbrenner and
Representatives Daniel E. Lungren of California, King of Iowa, Gohmert,
Herger, Rohrabacher, Norwood, Bilbray, Garrett of New Jersey, Westmoreland,
Campbell and Conyers.

                                    [Page: D666]

COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION FY 2007

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on FY 2007 Coast Guard Authorizing
legislation. Testimony was heard from RADM William D. Baumgartner, USCG, Judge
Advocate General, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security; and
public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--VA DATA SECURITY

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs and the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a joint
oversight hearing on Veterans Benefits Administration data security. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Veterans Benefits
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs: Ronald Aument, Deputy Under
Secretary, Benefits; Michael Walcoff, Associate Deputy Under Secretary,
Policy, Field Operations; and Thomas Lloyd, Deputy Chief Information Officer;
and Michael Staley, Assistant Inspector General, Audit; and Gregory Wilshusen,
Director, Information Security Issues, GAO.



2006/06/21
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 21, 2006; pages D669 - D678

Committee Meetings

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel and the
Subcommittee on Africa of the Committee on International Relations held a
joint hearing on trafficking in persons. Testimony was heard from Ambassador
John R. Miller, Director, Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons,
Department of State; and the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Gail H. McGinn, Performing the Duties as Principal Deputy Under Secretary,
Personnel and Readiness; and Thomas F. Gimble, Principal Deputy Inspector
General; and COL Robert K. Boyles, USAF, former Principal Assistant
Responsible for Contracting--Forces, Joint Contracting
Command--Iraq/Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command.

SPACE AND U.S. NATIONAL POWER

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
on space and U.S. national power. Testimony was heard from LTG C. Robert
Kehler, USAF, Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Department of Defense;
Ed Morris, Director, Office of Space Commercialization, Department of
Commerce; and public witnesses.

INTERNET PRIVATE RECORDS ACCESS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Internet Data Brokers and Pretexting: Who Has Access
to Your Private Records?" Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
In refusing to give testimony at this hearing, the following individuals: John
Strange; Jay Patel, Ed Herzog; Skipp Porteous; Michele Yontef; Carlos
Anderson; Laurie Misner; Tim Berndt; James Welker; Patrick Baird; and Steven
Schwartz, invoked Fifth Amendment privileges.

Hearing continues tomorrow.

UNIVERSAL SERVICE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet held a hearing entitled "Universal Service: What Are We Subsidizing
and Why? Part 1: The High-Cost Fund." Testimony was heard from Donald B.
Marron, Acting Director, CBO; Tom Navin, Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau,
FCC; and public witnesses.

COMMERCIAL INSURANCE MODERNIZATION

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance
and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled "Commercial
Insurance Modernization." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

BANK SECRECY ACT'S IMPACT ON MONEY SERVICES BUSINESSES

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and
Consumer Credit held a hearing entitled "Bank Secrecy Act's Impact on Money
Services Businesses." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Treasury: Don Carbaugh, Acting Associate Director,
Regulatory Policy and Programs, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; Eileen
C. Mayer, Director, Fraud/Bank Secrecy Act, Small Business/Self-Employed
Division, IRS; and Ann F. Jaedicke, Deputy Comptroller, Compliance Policy; and
public witnesses.

ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATIONS/FEDERAL PROCUREMENT

Committee on Government Reform: and the Committee on Small Business held a
joint hearing entitled "Northern Lights and Procurement Plights: The Effect of
the ANC Program on Federal Procurement and Alaska Native Corporations."
Testimony was heard from Representative Young of Alaska; David Cooper,
Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO; Calvin Jenkins, Deputy
Associate Deputy Administrator, Office of Government Contracting and Business
Development, SBA; Frank M. Ramos, Director, Small Business Programs, Office of
the Under Secretary, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Department of
Defense; Melodee Stith, Associate Director, Acquisition and Financial
Assistance, Office of Acquisition and Property Management, Department of the
Interior; and public witnesses.

DEEP WATER ROYALTY RELIEF

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a
hearing entitled "Deep Water Royalty Relief: Mismanagement and Cover-ups."
Testimony was heard from the following Attorneys in the Department of the
Interior: Milo Mason and Geoffrey Heath; and public witnesses.

SECURITY DEPARTMENT TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS

Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled "DHS Terrorism
Preparedness Grants: Risk-Based or Guess-Work?" Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the City of New York: Michael Bloomberg, Mayor; and
Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, Police Department; the following officials of
the District of Columbia: Anthony Williams, Mayor; and Edward D. Reiskin,
Deputy Mayor, Public Safety and Justice; and George Foresman, Under Secretary,
Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security.

                                    [Page: D674]

RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY; DEMOCRACY IN LATIN AMERICA

Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported adversely H. Res. 846,
Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State to provide to
the House of Representatives certain documents in their possession relating to
strategies and plans either designed to cause regime change in or for the use
of military force against Iran.

The Committee also held a hearing on Democracy in Latin America: Successes,
Challenges and the Future. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of State: Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary, Democracy and
Global Affairs; and Adolfo Franco, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin
America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development; and
public witnesses.

U.S. ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO EGYPT

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Middle East and Central
Asia continued hearings to Review U.S. Assistance Programs to Egypt, Part II.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY; AND MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Res.
819, Requesting the President and directing the Attorney General to submit to
the House of Representatives all documents in the possession of the President
and the Attorney General relating to requests made by the National Security
Agency and other Federal agencies to telephone service providers requesting
access to telephone communications records of persons in the United States and
communications originating and terminating within the United States without a
warrant; H. Res. 845, adversely, Requesting the President and directing the
Secretary of Defense and the Attorney General to transmit to the House of
Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this
resolution, documents relating to the termination of the Department of
Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility's investigation of the
involvement of Department of Justice personnel in the creation and
administration of the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance
program, including documents relating to Office of Professional
Responsibility's request for and denial of security clearances; and H.R. 5520,
amended, Veterans Identity Protection Act.

OVERSIGHT--CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight
hearing on the Implementation of the Crime Victims' Rights Provisions of the
Justice for All Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: 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; H.R. 854, amended,
To provide for certain lands to be held in trust for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute
Tribe; H.R. 2069, Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2005; H.R. 2134,
Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the
American Latino Community in Washington, D.C.; H.R. 2925, amended, To amend
the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to extend the
authority for drought assistance; H.R. 3085, amended, To amend the National
Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally
prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the
inclusion of a new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated
with that trail; H.R. 3817, Valle Vidal Protection Act of 2005; H.R. 4165, To
clarify the boundaries of Coastal Barrier Resources System Clam Pass Unit
FL-64P; H.R. 4275, To amend Public Law 106-348 to extend the authorization for
establishing a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor
veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed Forces of the United
States; H.R. 4294, amended, Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement
Act; H.R. 4301, Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2005;
H.R. 4376, amended, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Massachusetts
Act of 2005; H.R. 4612, amended, Wright Brothers-Dunbar National Historic Park
Designation Act; H.R. 4761, amended, Domestic Energy Production through
Offshore Exploration and Equitable Treatment of State Holdings Act of 2006;
H.R. 4947, amended, Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act; H.R.
5057, amended, To authorize the Marion Park Project and Committee of the
Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a commemorative work on Federal
land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor Brigadier General
Francis Marion; H.R. 5061, Paint Bank and Wytheville National Fish Hatcheries
Conveyance Act; H.R. 5079, amended, North Unit Irrigation District Act of
2006; H.R. 5094, Lake Mattamuskeet Lodge Preservation Act; H.R. 5232, Cherry
Valley National Wildlife Refuge Study Act; H.R. 5312, amended, Indian Health
Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2006; H.R. 5340, amended, Upper Mississippi
River Basin Protection Act; H.R. 5411, To direct the Secretary of the Interior
to establish a demonstration program to facilitate landscape restoration
programs within certain units of the National Park System established by law
to preserve and interpret resources associated with American history; H.R.
5622, amended, Coral Reef Conservation Legacy Act of 2006; S. 260, Partners
for Fish and Wildlife Act; and S. 1496, Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2005.

                                    [Page: D675]

OVERSIGHT--FOREST HEALTH: INSECTS AND DISEASES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Addressing Forest Insects and Disease: A Growing National
Problem, "GAO Report on Invasive Forest Pests." Testimony was heard from
Daniel Bertoni, Assistant Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security,
GAO; the following officials of the USDA: Paul Eggert, Associate Deputy
Administrator, Plant Protection Quarantine, Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service; and Jim Hubbard, Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry, Forest
Service; and public witnesses.

PERMANENT ESTATE TAX RELIEF ACT

Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on
H.R. 5638, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the unified
credit against the estate tax to an exclusion equivalent of $5,000,000 and to
repeal the sunset provision for the estate and generation-skipping taxes, and
for other purposes, proving 1 hour of debate in the House equally divided and
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the
Budget. 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 the Budget now printed in the bill, modified by the
amendment printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution,
shall be considered as adopted. The rule waives all points of order against
the bill, as amended. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with
or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Ryan of
Wisconsin, Spratt, and Thompson of California.

LEGISLATIVE LINE ITEM VETO ACT

Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on
H.R. 4890, to amend the Congressional and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to
provide for the expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions of
budget authority, providing 1 hour of debate in the House 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 printed in the Rules Committee
report accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted. Finally,
the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Hulshof, Issa, and Pomeroy.

OVERSIGHT--AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL MODERNIZATION

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
an oversight hearing on Air Traffic Control Modernization: The Present and
Future. Testimony was heard from Representative Waters; the following
officials of the Department of Transportation: Russell Chew, Chief Operating
Officer, Air Traffic Organization and Robert Pearce, Acting Director, Joint
Planning and Development Office, both with the FAA; and Todd Zinser, Acting
Inspector General; Gerald Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure
Issues, GAO; and a public witness.

OVERSIGHT--VETERANS HEALTH RECORDS SECURITY

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held an oversight
hearing on Safeguarding Veterans' Medical Information within the Veterans
Health Administration. Testimony was heard from BG Michael J. Kussman, M.D.,
USA, (Ret.), Deputy Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans Affairs;
and a public witness.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS

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



2006/06/22
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 22, 2006; pages D679 - D692

Committee Meetings

CHINA'S MILITARY POWER

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the military power of the
People's Republic of China. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the Department of Defense: Peter W. Rodman, Assistant Secretary,
International Security Affairs; Mark Cozard, China Forces Senior Intelligence
Officer, Defense Intelligence Agency; and COL Robert Carr, USA, Assistant
Director, Intelligence, Joint Staff.

INTERNET PRIVATE RECORDS ACCESS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
continued hearings entitled "Internet Data Brokers and Pretexting: Who Has
Access to Your Private Records?". Testimony was heard from Paul Kilcoyne,
Deputy Assistant Director, Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; the following officials of the
Department of Justice: Elaine Lammert, Deputy General Counsel, Investigative
Law Branch, FBI; James J. Bankston, Chief Inspector, Investigative Services
Division; U.S. Marshals Service; Ava Cooper Davis, Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Office of Special Intelligence, Intelligence Division, DEA; and
W. Larry Ford, Assistant Director, Office of Public and Governmental Affairs,
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Peter Lyskowski,
Assistant Attorney General, State of Missouri; Julia Harris, Assistant
Attorney General, State of Florida; and public witnesses.

SAFE TRUCKERS ACT OF 2006

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity approved for full Committee
action, as amended, H.R. 5604, SAFE Truckers Act of 2006.

REDUCING NUCLEAR/BIOLOGICAL THREATS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack held a hearing entitled "Reducing Nuclear and Biological
Threats at the Source." Testimony was heard from Jerry Paul, Principal Deputy
Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy;
Frank Record, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Security and
Nonproliferation, Department of State; Jack David, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
International Security Policy, Department of Defense; and public witnesses.

U.S. ELECTIONS--NON-CITIZEN VOTING AND ID REQUIREMENTS

Committee on House Administration: Held a hearing entitled "You Don't Need
Papers To Vote?". Non-citizen voting and ID requirements in U.S. elections.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Hyde and Langevin; Ray Martinez, Vice
Chairman, United States Election Assistance Commission; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; MIDDLE EAST RELIGIOUS MINORITIES

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations approved for full Committee action the
following measures: H. Res. 860, amended, Calling on the Government of Germany
to take immediate action to combat sex trafficking in connection with the 2006
FIFA World Cup; H.R. 4319, Assistance for Small and Medium Enterprises in
Sub-Saharan African Countries Act of 2005; H.R. 4780, Global Online Freedom
Act of 2006; H.R. 5382, Central Asia Democracy and Human Rights Promotion Act
of 2006; and H.R. 5652, amended, African Development Foundation Act of 2006.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Can Religious Pluralism Survive in the
Middle East: The Plight of Religious Minorities? Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF RELIGION ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on
H.R. 2679, Public Expression of Religion Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--PROTECTING U.S. WORKERS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims held an oversight hearing entitled "Is the Labor Department Doing
Enough To Protect U.S. Workers?". Testimony was heard from Sigurd L. Nilsen,
Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; Alfred
Robinson, Acting Director, Wage and Hour Administration, Employment Standards
Administration, Department of Labor; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM ADVISORY BOARD REAUTHORIZATION

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight
hearing on the Reauthorization of the National Park System Advisory Board.
Testimony was heard from Fran Mainella, Director, National Park Service,
Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D691]

WATER AND POWER INFRASTRUCTURE

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight
hearing on Securing the Bureau of Reclamation's Water and Power
Infrastructure: A Consumer's Perspective. Testimony was heard from Larry Todd,
Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; and
public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--FUTURE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management held an oversight
hearing on the Future of the Federal Courthouse Construction Program: Results
of a GAO Study on the Judiciary's Rental Obligations. Testimony was heard from
Mark Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; Jane R. Roth,
Judge, Third Circuit Courts of Appeals, Chairman, Committee on Space and
Facilities; and David L. Winstead, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service,
GSA.

VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2006; OVERSIGHT IT
DATA SECURITY

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4843,
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006.

The Committee also held an oversight hearing on the legal implications of the
theft from a VA employee's home of personal data regarding millions of
veterans, active duty military personnel, and spouses. Testimony was heard
from Tim McClain, General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs; and public
witnesses.

U.S. COMPETITIVENESS/INTERNATIONAL TAX REFORM

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures held a
hearing on the Impact of International Tax Reform on U.S. Competitiveness.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

PATH AHEAD FOR THE CIA; CIA DIRECTOR AS HUMINT MANAGER

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing entitled "Path Ahead for the CIA." Testimony was heard from GEN
Michael V. Hayden, USAF, Director, CIA.

The Committee also met in executive session to hold a hearing entitled "The
CIA Director as HUMINT Manager." Testimony was heard from GEN Michael V.
Hayden, USAF, Director, CIA.



2006/06/23
Daily Digest - Friday, June 23, 2006; pages D693 - D698

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held. 



2006/06/26
Daily Digest - Monday, June 26, 2006; pages D699 - D704

Committee Meetings

FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2006

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour
of general debate on H.R. 4973, Floor Insurance Reform and Modernization Act
of 2006, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Financial Services. The rule waives all points of
order against consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order only those
amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution.
The rules 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 a division of the question in the House or in the
Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against amendments
printed in the report. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with
or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Baker,
Pearce, Burton of Indiana, Rohrabacher, Wasserman Schultz, Pomeroy, and
Matsui.

SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of
general debate on H.R. 5672, making appropriations for Science, the
Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and related agencies for fiscal
year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes, equally divided and
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of
the bill. Under the rules of the House the bill shall be read for amendment by
paragraph. 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 as
specified in the resolution. 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. The rule provides that it shall be in order, any rule of the
House to the contrary notwithstanding, to consider concurrent resolutions
providing for adjournment of the House and Senate during the month of July.
Finally, the rule provides that H. Res. 878 is laid on the table. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Wolf, Obey, Hoyer, George Miller of California,
McDermott, Woolsey, and Corrine Brown of Florida.



2006/06/27
Daily Digest - Tuesday, June 27, 2006; pages D705 - D714

Committee Meetings

VETERANS AFFAIRS DATA SECURITY

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

GROUND EQUIPMENT/ROTORCRAFT RESET STRATEGIES

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Army and Marine Corps reset
strategies for ground equipment and rotorcraft. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: GEN Peter J. Schoomaker,
USA., Chief of Staff, U.S. Army; and GEN Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant,
U.S. Marine Corps.

MAKING INTERNET SAFE FOR CHILDREN

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Making the Internet Safe for Kids: The Role of ISPs
and Social Networking Sites." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

Hearings continue tomorrow.

HI-TECH INFORMATION/CONTENT PROTECTION

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet held a hearing entitled "The Audio and Video Flags: Can Content
Protection and Technological Innovation Coexist?" Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

CLINICAL LAB QUALITY

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy,
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "Clinical Lab Quality: Oversight
Weaknesses Undermine Federal Standards." Testimony was heard from Leslie
Aronovitz, Director, Health Division, GAO; Thomas Hamilton, Director, Survey
and Certification Group, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,
Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census held
a hearing entitled "Moving the CDBG Program Forward: A Look at the
Administration's Reform Proposal. Where Do We Go From Here?" Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development: Pamela Hughes Patenaude, Assistant Secretary, Office of Community
Planning and Development; and Todd M. Richardson, Senior Analyst, Office of
Policy Development and Research; and the following officials of GAO: Stanley
J. Czerwinski, Director, Intergovernmental Relations, Strategic Issues; and
Michael Springer, Assistant Director, Strategic Issues.

                                    [Page: D711]

SEXUAL ASSAULT AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN THE MILITARY AND AT THE ACADEMIES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats, and International Relations held as hearing entitled "Sexual Assault
and Violence Against Women in the Military and at the Academies." Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Kaye
Whitley, Acting Director, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office; VADM
Rodney P. Rempt, USN, Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy; BG Robert L. Caslen,
Jr., USA, Commandant, U.S. Military Academy; and BG Susan Y. Desjardins, USAF,
Commandant, U.S. Air Force Academy; RADM Paul J. Higgins, USCG, Director,
Health and Safety, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security; Beth
Davis, former U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, the
following bills: H.R. 5682, To exempt from certain requirements of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954 a proposed nuclear agreement for cooperation with India;
H.R. 4014, Millennium Challenge Reauthorization Act of 2005.

The Committee also favorably considered the following measures and adopted a
motion urging the Chairman to request that they be placed on the Suspension
calendar: H.R. 5680, Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement
Act of 2006; H. Res. 700, amended, Supporting an upgrade in Israel's
relationship with NATO to that of a leading member of NATO's Individual
Cooperation Program, as a first step toward Israel's inclusion in NATO as a
full member with all corresponding rights, privileges, and responsibilities;
H. Res. 844, amended, Congratulating the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
on 10 years of significant achievement in the search for an HIV/AIDS vaccine;
H. Res. 860, amended, Calling on the Government of Germany to take immediate
action to combat sex trafficking in connection with the 2006 FIFA World Cup;
and H. Con. Res. 435, amended, Congratulating Israel's David Adom Society for
achieving full membership in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement.

AFRICA MAKING SAFE BLOOD AVAILABLE

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Making Safe Blood
Available in Africa. Testimony was heard from Representative Fattah; the
following officials of the Department of State: Caroline Ryan, M.D., Senior
Technical Advisor, Deputy Director, Programs Services, Office of the Global
Aids Coordinator; and Robert E. Ferris, M.D., Medical Officer, Bureau for
Global Health, U.S. Agency for International Development; Jerry A. Holmberg,
Senior Advisor for Blood Policy, Office of Public Health and Science,
Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.

The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. The Subcommittee was
briefed by Neelam Dhingra, M.D., Coordinator, Blood Transfusion Safety,
Essential Health Technologies, World Health Organization.

OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL LANDS ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power and the Subcommittee
on Forests and Forest Health held a joint oversight hearing on Meeting
Electricity Demand in the West through Responsible Development of Energy
Rights-of-Way on Federal lands. Testimony was heard from David H. Meyer,
Deputy Director, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability,
Department of Energy; Laura Nelson, Energy Policy Advisor, Office of Governor
Jon Huntsman, State of Utah; and public witnesses.

ENERGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRATION, AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATION ACT OF
2006

Committee on Science: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5656, Energy
Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2006.

S CORPORATIONS

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight
held a hearing entitled "S Corporations--Their History and Challenges."
Testimony was heard from Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy, SBA;
and public witnesses.

IMMIGRANT EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Workforce, Empowerment, and
Government Programs held a hearing entitled "Immigrant Employment Verification
and Small Business." Testimony was heard from Representative Calvert; Robert
Divine, Acting Deputy Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

EISENHOWER INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARY

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines, hearing Celebrating 59 Years: The Eisenhower Interstate
Highway System. Testimony was heard from Richard Capka, Administrator, Federal
Highway Administration, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D712]

RAIL SAFETY INITIATIVES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held
a hearing on current FRA Rail Safety Initiatives. Testimony was heard from
Joseph Boardman, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of
Transportation; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--VA RURAL HEALTH CARE

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held an oversight
hearing to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs efforts to provide high
quality health care to veterans in rural communities. Testimony was heard from
Jonathan B. Perline, M.D., Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans
Affairs; and public witnesses.



2006/06/28
Daily Digest - Wednesday, June 28, 2006; pages D716 - D728

Committee Meetings

AFGHANISTAN SECURITY AND STABILITY

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the status of security and
stability in Afghanistan. Testimony was heard from Karen Tandy, Administrator,
DEA, Department of Justice; the following officials of the Department of
Defense: LTG Karl Eikenberry, USA, Commanding General, Combined Forces
Command-Afghanistan; and Mary Beth Long, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary,
International Security Affairs; and James Kunder, Assistant Administrator,
Asia and the Near East, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department
of State.

CHARACTER BUILDING IN EDUCATION

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing on The First Tee and
Schools: Working To Build Character Education. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

MENTAL ILLNESS AND BRAIN DISEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
Mental Illness and Brain Disease: Dispelling Myths and Promoting Recovery
Through Awareness and Treatment. Testimony was heard from Thomas Insel, M.D.,
Director, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Department of Health and
Human Services; and public witnesses.

MAKING THE INTERNET SAFE FOR KIDS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
continued hearings entitled "Making the Internet Safe for Kids: The Role of
ISPs and Social Networking Sites." Testimony was heard from Pamela Jones
Harbour, Commissioner, FTC; Diego Ruiz, Deputy Chief, Office of Strategic
Planning and Policy Analysis, FCC; and public witnesses.

INVESTOR PROTECTION

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance,
and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled "Investor
Protection: A Review of Plaintiffs' Attorney Abuses in Securities Litigation
and Legislative Remedies." Testimony was heard from Vaughan R. Walker, Chief
Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California; William F.
Galvin, Secretary, State of Massachusetts; and public witnesses.

HOUSING MARKET AND NEXT NATURAL CATASTROPHE

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity held a hearing entitled "Is America's Housing Market Prepared for
the Next Natural Catastrophe?" Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

TREAT METHAMPHETAMINE VICTIMS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy,
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "Availability and Effectiveness of
Programs To Treat Victims of the Methamphetamine Epidemic." Testimony was
heard from Bertha Madras, Deputy Director, Demand Reduction, Office of
National Drug Control Policy; the following officials of the Department of
Health and Human Services: Charles Curie, Administrator, Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration; and Nora D. Volkow, M.D., Director,
National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH; and public witnesses.

OMB'S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT LINE OF BUSINESS INITIATIVE

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance
and Accountability held a hearing entitled "OMB's Financial Management Line of
Business Initiative: Do Recent Changes to the Implementation Guidance Clarify
the Rules?" Testimony was heard from Linda Combs, Controller, Office of
Federal Financial Management, OMB; Mary Mitchell, Deputy Associate
Administrator, GSA; and public witnesses.

HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT BORDER SECURITY INTELLIGENCE

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled "DHS
Intelligence and Border Security: Delivering Operational Intelligence."
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland
Security: Charles E. Allen, Chief Intelligence Officer, Office of Intelligence
Analysis; James Sloan, Assistant Commandant, Intelligence, U.S. Coast Guard;
Cynthia O'Connell, Acting Director, Office of Intelligence, Immigration and
Customs Enforcement; and L. Thomas Bortmes, Director, Office of Intelligence,
Customs and Border Protection; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D724]

EAST TIMOR: INSTABILITY AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
held a hearing on East Timor: Instability and Future Prospects. Testimony was
heard from Eric John, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and
Pacific Affairs, Department of State.

HURRICANE RECONSTRUCTION AND PREPAREDNESS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held
a hearing on Hurricane Reconstruction and Preparedness. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the U.S. Agency for International Development,
Department of State: Adolfo A. Franco, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for
Latin America and the Caribbean; and Timothy M. Callaghan, Senior Regional
Advisor, Latin America and the Caribbean, Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster
Assistance.

BUSINESS ACTIVITY TAX SIMPLIFICATION ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1856, Business
Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2005.

The Committee also began consideration of H.R. 5323, Proud to Be an American
Citizen Act.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on the
following bills; H.R. 2692, Acadia National Park Improvement Act of 2005; H.R.
3871, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Missouri
River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation,
Inc. Certain Federal land associated with the Lewis and Clark National
Historic Trail in Nebraska, to be used as an historical interpretive site
along the trail; and H.R. 5145, to authorize the National War Dogs Monument,
Inc. to establish a national monument in honor of military working dog teams.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Michaud, Fortenberry, Osborne, and
Terry; Sue Masica, Associate Director, Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands,
National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

DEEP OCEAN ENERGY RESOURCES ACT OF 2006

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a structured rule providing
1 hour of general debate on H.R. 4761, Domestic Energy Production through
Offshore Exploration and Equitable Treatment of State Holdings Act of 2006,
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on Resources. 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 Resources 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 waives all points of order against the
amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on
Resources. 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. The rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the
rule provides that House Resolutions 162, 163, 181, 182, 393, 395, 400, 401,
468, and 620 are laid upon the table. Testimony was heard from Chairman Pombo,
Chairman Boehlert, Chairman Tom Davis of Virginia and Representatives Calvert,
Flake, Bartlett of Maryland, Udall of New Mexico, Markey, Inslee, and
Jackson-Lee of Texas.

RESOLUTION--CONDEMNING DISCLOSURE AND PUBLICATION OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a closed rule providing 1
hour of debate in the House on H. Res. 895, supporting intelligence and law
enforcement programs to track terrorists and terrorist finances conducted
consistent with Federal law and with appropriate Congressional consultation
and specifically condemning the disclosure and publication of classified
information that impairs the international fight against terrorism and
needlessly exposes Americans to the threat of further terror attacks by
revealing a crucial method by which terrorists are traced through their
finances, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Financial Services. The rule waives all points of
order against consideration of the resolution. Finally, the rule provides one
motion to recommit which may not contain instructions. Testimony was heard
from Chairman Oxley and Representative Frank of Massachusetts.

                                    [Page: D725]

HIGH NATURAL GAS PRICE EFFECTS

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports held a
hearing entitled "The Effects of the High Cost of Natural Gas on Small
Businesses and Future Energy Technologies." Testimony was heard from James
Kendell, Director, Natural Gas Division, Energy Information Administration,
Department of Energy; the following officials of the Department of the
Interior: Walter Cruickshank, Deputy Director, Minerals Management Service;
and Tom Lonnie, Assistant Director, Bureau of Land Management, Minerals,
Realty and Resource Protection Directorate; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SURVEY RESOLUTIONS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported, as amended,
the following bills: S. 362, Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction
Act; H.R. 4650, National Levee Safety Program Act of 2005; and H.R. 5681,
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2006.

The Committee also approved U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Survey Resolutions.

VA OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on What VA IT Organizational
Structure would have best prevented VA's "Meltdown" in Information Management.
Testimony was heard from MG Robert Howard, USA (Ret.), Acting Assistant
Secretary, Information and Technology and Acting Chief Information Officer,
Department of Veterans Affairs; and the following former Assistant
Secretaries, Information Technology and Former Chief Information Officers,
Department of Veterans Affairs: Robert McFarland and John A. Gauss; and public
witnesses.

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on Health Savings Accounts.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

REPORT: AL QAEDA

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session and
approved the following: "Report: `al Qaeda: The Many Faces of an Islamic
Extremist Threat."



2006/06/29
Daily Digest - Thursday, June 29, 2006; pages D729 - D738

Committee Meetings

RENEWABLE FUELS MARKET

Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review Agriculture's Role in the
Renewable Fuels Market. Testimony was heard from Thomas C. Dorr, Under
Secretary, Rural Development, USDA; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D736]

REPORTS OF WMD IN IRAQ

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on reports of weapons of mass
destruction findings in Iraq. Testimony was heard from LTG Michael D. Maples,
USA, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense; Terence
Taylor, former Commissioner, U.N. Special Commission on Iraq; and public
witnesses.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND MISSIONS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats
and Capabilities held a hearing on assessing United States Special Operations
Command's missions and roles. Testimony was heard from GEN Wayne A. Downing,
USA (Ret.); and public witnesses.

U.S. COMPETITIVENESS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing on Growth, Opportunity,
Competition--America Goes to Work. Testimony was heard from Carlos M.
Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce.

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Pandemic Influenza Preparedness in the Financial
Services Sector." Testimony was heard from D. Scott Parsons, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Critical Infrastructure Protection and Compliance Policy,
Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
3329, Civilian Prisoner-of-War Medal Act of 2005; H.R. 5607, Federal Wildland
Firefighter Classification Act; H.R. 4962, To designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 100 Pitcher Street in Utica, New York,
as the "Captain George A. Wood Post Office Building"; H.R. 5626, To designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 802 South Carrier
Parkway in Grand Prairie, Texas, as the "Alexander McRae Dechman Post Office
Building"; H. Res. 189, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that a day ought to be established to bring awareness to the issue of missing
persons; H. Res. 721, Supporting the goals and ideals of a Salvadoran-American
Day (El Dia del Salvadoreno) in recognition of all Salvadoran-Americans for
their hard work, dedication, and contribution to the stability and well-being
of the United States; and H.R. 5711, To permit the Joint Committee on Judicial
Administration in the District of Columbia to establish a program of voluntary
separation incentive payments for nonjudicial employees of the District of
Columbia courts.

WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTIONS

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "What Price Free
Speech?: Whistleblowers and the Ceballos Decision." Testimony was heard from
Richard Ceballos, Deputy District Attorney, Los Angeles County, California;
and public witnesses.

CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2006

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity held a hearing on H.R. 5695,
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Michael
A.L. Balboni, Senator, New York State; and public witnesses.

SOMALIA CRISIS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on International
Terrorism and Nonproliferation held a joint hearing on Somalia: Expanding
Crisis in the Horn of Africa. Testimony was heard from Jendayi E. Frazer,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State; Ted
Dagne, Specialist in African Affairs, CRS, Library of Congress; and public
witnesses.

NORTH KOREAN BRINKMANSHIP

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific,
hearing on North Korean Brinkmanship: Is U.S. Policy Up to the Challenge?
Testimony was heard from Christopher Hill, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East
Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State.

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported H.R. 5323, Proud to Be an
American Citizen Act.

JUDICIARY TRANSPARENCY AND ETHICS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2006

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held a hearing on H.R. 5219, Judiciary Transparency and Ethics
Enhancement Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Senator Grassley; and public
witnesses.

NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT OF 2006

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held a hearing on
H.R. 5539, North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2006.
Testimony was heard from Representative Kennedy of Minnesota; Mathew J. Hogan,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Department of the
Interior; John Frampton, Director, Department of Natural Resources, State of
South Carolina; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D737]

OVERSIGHT--HEALTHY FORESTS: TARGETS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Healthy Forests: Targets and Accomplishments. Testimony
was heard from P. Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior;
and Mark Rey, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, USDA.

OVERSIGHT--AIRLINE PASSENGER BAGGING SCREENING

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
an oversight hearing on Airline Passenger Baggage Screening: Technology and
Airport Deployment Update. Testimony was heard from Randy Null, Assistant
Administrator, Operational Process and Technology, Transportation Security
Administration, Department of Homeland Security; Cathleen A. Berrick,
Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--VA DATA SECURITY

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on VA's current
status of mitigating the nation's second largest data breach. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: R.
James Nicholson, Secretary; Gordon H. Mansfield, Deputy Secretary; Jonathan
Perlin, M.D., Under Secretary, Health, Veterans Health Administration; Ronald
R. Aument, Deputy Under Secretary, Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration;
and William Tuerk, Under Secretary, Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery
Administration.

CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT; U.S.-OMAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
IMPLEMENTATION ACT

Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 5640,
amended, Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006; and H.R. 5684,
United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.

INTEGRATED COLLECTION ARCHITECTURE

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

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS

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



2006/07/10
Daily Digest - Monday, July 10, 2006; pages D739 - D746

Committee Meetings

MIDDLE EAST RELIGIOUS MINORITIES PLIGHT

Committee on International Relations: On June 30, the Subcommittee on Africa,
Global Human Rights and International Operations held a hearing on The Plight
of Religious Minorities: Can Religious Pluralism Survive? Testimony was heard
from Chairman Hyde; John V. Hanford III, Ambassador-at-Large for International
Religious Freedom, Department of State; Nina Shea, Vice Chair, U.S. Commission
on International Religious Freedom; and public witnesses.

CREDIT RATING AGENCY DUOPOLY RELIEF ACT OF 2006

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour
of general debate on H.R. 2990, Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act of
2006, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Financial Services. 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 Financial
Services 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 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
Representatives Baker, Kanjorski and Frank of Massachusetts.

UNLAWFUL INTERNET GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2006

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour
of debate in the House on H.R. 4411, Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement
Act of 2006, equally divided among and controlled by the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Financial Services and 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 provides that, in
lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on Financial Services and
the Judiciary now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a
substitute depicted in the Rules Committee Print dated July 5, 2006, shall be
considered as adopted. The rule makes in order the amendment printed in the
Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution, if offered by
Representative Berkley of Nevada or her designee, which shall be considered as
read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the
proponent and an opponent 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 amendment printed in the Rules Committee
report. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Leach, Goodlatte, Frank
of Massachusetts, and Conyers.



2006/07/11
Daily Digest - Tuesday, July 11, 2006; pages D748 - D754

Committee Meetings

CFIUS REFORM--REFORM OF NATIONAL SECURITY REVIEWS OF FOREIGN DIRECT
INVESTMENTS ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection, hearing on CFIUS Reform: H.R. 5337, Reform of National
Security Reviews of Foreign Direct Investments Act. Testimony was heard from
Patrick A. Mulloy, Commissioner, United States-China Economic and Security
Review Commission; and public witnesses.

DELETING ONLINE PREDATORS ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet held a hearing on H.R. 5319, Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006.
Testimony was heard from Greg Abbot, Attorney General, State of Texas; David
W. Zellis, First Assistant District Attorney, Office of the Bucks County
District Attorney, State of Pennsylvania; and public witnesses.

TERROR FINANCE TRACKING PROGRAM

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "The Terror Finance Tracking Program." Testimony was
heard from Stuart Levey, Under Secretary, Terrorism and Financial
Intelligence, Department of the Treasury.

                                    [Page: D752]

PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy,
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
Security." Testimony was heard from Randall W. Lutter, Acting Associate
Commissioner, Policy and Planning, FDA, Department of Health and Human
Services; Kevin Delli-Colli, Deputy Assistant Director, Financial and Trade
Investigations Division, Office of Investigations, U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE FEDERAL EMPLOYEE APPEALS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization held a hearing entitled "Establishing a Task Force to Improve
Federal Employee Appeals." Testimony was heard from Neil A.G. McPhie,
Chairman, Merit Systems Protection Board; William Tobey, Deputy Solicitor,
Federal Labor Relations Authority; Cari M. Dominguez, Chair, EEOC; Scott
Bloch, Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel; Nancy H. Kichak, Associate
Director, Strategic Human Resource Policy Division, OPM; Scot Beckenbaugh,
Acting Deputy Director, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; and public
witnesses.

IRAQ NATIONAL VICTORY STRATEGY

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "The Evolving
National Strategy for Victory in Iraq." Testimony was heard from David M.
Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; Ambassador James Jeffrey, Senior Advisor on
Iraq to the Secretary, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Middle East,
Department of State; BG Michael Jones, USA, Deputy Director, Political
Military Affairs, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense; Kenneth
Katzman, Specialist in Middle East Affairs, CRS, Library of Congress; and
public witnesses.

CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM ACT

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security,
Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity approved for full Committee
action, as amended, H.R. 5695, Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006.

BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT/REDUCTION SHIP AIR POLLUTION

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on a proposal regarding Ballast
Water Management and Reduction of Air Pollution from Ships. Testimony was
heard from RADM Brian M. Salerno, USCG, Director, Inspection and Compliance,
U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security; Timothy R.E. Kenney, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and
public witnesses.



2006/07/12
Daily Digest - Wednesday, July 12, 2006; pages D756 - D764

Committee Meetings

MILITARY COMMISSIONS AND TRIBUNALS

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on standards of military
commissions and tribunals. Testimony was heard from Steven Bradbury, Acting
Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, Department of Justice;
Daniel J. Dell'Orto, Principal Deputy General Counsel, Department of Defense;
Theodore Olson, former Solicitor General of the United States; and RADM John
Hutson, USN, (Ret.), former Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy.

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT AND DISABLED STUDENTS

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled "No Child
Left Behind: Ensuring High Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient
Students and Students with Disabilities." Testimony was heard from Keith
Buchanan, English for Speakers of Other Languages Office Coordinator, Fairfax
County Public Schools, State of Virginia; Margaret McLeod, Executive Director,
Office of Bilingual Education, Public Schools, District of Columbia; and
public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, the following
bills: H.R. 4591, Stockholm and Rotterdam Toxics Treaty Act of 2005; H.R.
2567, Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2005; and H.R. 5337, Reform of National
Security Reviews of Foreign Direct Investments Act.

INDUSTRIAL LOAN CORPORATIONS

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and
Consumer Credit held a hearing entitled "ILCs--A Review of Charter, Ownership,
and Supervision Issues." Testimony was heard from Scott G. Alvarez, General
Counsel, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; Douglas H. Jones, Acting
General Counsel, FDIC; Rick Hillman, Director, Financial Markets and Community
Investment, GAO; G. Edward Leary, Commissioner, Department of Financial
Institutions, State of Utah; and public witnesses.

DIVERSITY--GAO PERSPECTIVE

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Diversity: the GAO Perspective." Testimony was heard
from Orice M. Williams, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment,
GAO; and public witnesses.

U.S. ELECTRICITY GRID STABILITY

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a
hearing entitled "Can the U.S. Electric Grid Take Another Hot Summer?"
Testimony was heard from Joseph T. Kelliher, Chairman, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy; and public witnesses.

BRIEFING--TERRORIST RADICALIZATION PROCESS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessments held a briefing on the terrorist
radicalization process, including specific examples of the process at work.
The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses.

NEW YORK 9/11 ASSISTANCE FRAUD

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and
Oversight held a hearing entitled "Federal 9/11 Assistance to New York:
Lessons Learned in Fraud Detection, Prevention, and Control," Part I,
"Response." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Homeland Security: Joe Picciano, Deputy Director, Region II, FEMA; and
Richard Skinner, Inspector General; Greg Lutz, Director, Financial Management
and Assurance, GAO; the following officials of New York City: Rose Gill Hearn,
Commissioner, Department of Investigation; and David J. Varoli, General
Counsel, Department of Design and Construction; and public witnesses.

Hearings continue tomorrow.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 2965,
amended, Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2005;
H.R. 1369, To prevent certain discriminatory taxation of natural gas pipeline
property; H.R. 4772, amended, Private Property Rights Implementation Act of
2005; and H.R. 4132, amended, Law Enforcement Cooperation Act of 2005.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 3558, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation
Amendments Act of 2005; H.R. 5282, Southern California Desert Region
Integrated Water and Economic Sustainability Plan Act; H.R. 5299, Fort
McDowell Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Revision Act of 2006; and
H.R. 5715, To make amendments to the Reclamation Projects Authorization and
Adjustment Act of 1992. Testimony was heard from William E. Rinne, Acting
Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; and public
witnesses.

                                    [Page: D762]

VOTING RIGHTS ACT REAUTHORIZATION AND AMENDMENTS ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 8 to 3, a structured rule providing
90 minutes of general debate on H.R. 9, Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and
Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of
2006, equally divided and controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority
Leader or their designees. 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 the Judiciary 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 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.
The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

OVERSIGHT--WRIGHT AMENDMENT REFORM

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
an oversight hearing entitled "Reforming the Wright Amendment." Testimony was
heard from Representatives Hall, Barton of Texas, Sam Johnson of Texas,
Granger, Hensarling and Burgess; Micharl Cirillo, Vice President, System
Operations, Air Traffic Organization, FAA, Department of Transportation; the
following Mayors of Texas: Laura Miller, Dallas; and Mike Moncrief, Fort
Worth; and public witnesses.

REAUTHORIZATION APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION--CREATE ADDITIONAL REGIONAL
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management held a hearing on the
Reauthorization of the Appalachian Regional Commission and proposals to Create
Additional Regional Economic Development Authorities. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Bass, McHugh and McIntyre; the following officials of the
Appalachian Regional Commission: Anne B. Pope, Federal Co-Chair; and Steve
Robertson, Alternate to the States' Co-Chair; and public witnesses.

VETERANS' MEMORIAL MARKER ACT OF 2006

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 5038,
Veterans' Memorial Marker Act of 2006.

U.S.-PERU TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the implementation of the
U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. Testimony was heard from Everett
Eissenstat, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Americas; and public
witnesses.



2006/07/13
Daily Digest - Thursday, July 13, 2006; pages D765 - D774

Committee Meetings

OVERSIGHT--CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION PROGRAM

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held an oversight hearing on the Chesapeake Bay Restoration
Program. Testimony was heard from Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant
Administrator, Office of Water, EPA; and Anu K. Mittal, Director, Natural
Resources and Environment Team, GAO.

MEDICAL LIABILITY SOLUTIONS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Innovative Solutions to Medical Liability." Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

SECURITY CLEARANCE INVESTIGATIONS--FOREIGN INFLUENCE FACTORS

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Can You Clear Me
Now?: Weighing `Foreign Influence' Factors in Security Clearance
Investigations." Testimony was heard from Robert Andrews, Deputy Under
Secretary, Counterintelligence and Security, Department of Defense; J. William
Leonard, Director, Information Security and Oversight Office, National
Archives and Records Administration; and public witnesses.

NEW YORK 9/11 ASSISTANCE FRAUD

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and
Oversight, to continued hearings entitled "Federal 9/11 Assistance to New
York: Lessons Learned in Fraud Detection, Prevention, and Control." Part 2,
"Recovery." Testimony was heard from Ruth Ritzema, Special Agent in Charge for
New York, Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban
Development; Eric Thorson, Inspector General, SBA; Douglas Small, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training, Department of Labor; Leroy
Frazer, Bureau Chief, Special Prosecutions Bureau, District Attorney's Office,
New York County; and public witnesses.

The Subcommittee concluded hearings on this subject, focusing on Part 3,
"Rebuilding." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Transportation: Bernard Cohen, Lower Manhattan Recovery Office,
Federal Transit Administration; and Todd J. Zinser, Acting Inspector General;
Michael Nestor, Director, Office of Investigations, Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey; and a public witness.

VENEZUELA AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism
and Nonproliferation held a hearing on Venezuela: Terrorism Hub of South
America? Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
State: Frank C. Urbancic, Jr., Principal Deputy Coordinator, Office of the
Coordinator for Counterterrorism; and Charles Shapiro, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

OVERSIGHT--ABANDONED MINE LANDS

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an
oversight hearing on Opportunities for Good Samaritan Cleanup of Hard Rock
Abandoned Mine Lands. Testimony was heard from Brent Fewell, Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Office of Water, EPA; Joseph Pizarchik, Director, Bureau of
Mining and Reclamation, Department of Environmental Protection, State of
Pennsylvania; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--WORKING RANCHES/OPEN SPACES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an
oversight hearing on Working Ranches, Healthy Range and Maintaining Open
Space, focusing on the importance of federal grazing programs and working
ranches to the landscape. Testimony was heard from Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief,
National Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; the following officials of the
Department of the Interior: Ed Shepard, Assistant Director, Renewable
Resources and Planning, Bureau of Land Management; and Kenneth McDermond,
Deputy Manager, California-Nevada Operations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
Anette Rink, Laboratory Supervisor, Animal Disease and Food Safety Laboratory,
State of Nevada; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D773]

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 383, Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Designation
Act of 2005; H.R. 4581, Easement Owners Fair Compensation Claims Act of 2005;
and H.R. 5132, River Raisin National Battlefield Study Act. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Dingell and Akin; Christopher Jarvi, Associate
Director, Partnerships, Interpretation and Education, Volunteers, and Outdoor
Recreation, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public
witnesses.

SMALL MANUFACTURERS REGULATORY REFORM

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight
held a hearing entitled "An Update on Administration Action To Reduce
Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens on America's Small Manufacturers." Testimony
was heard from Steve Aitken, Acting Administrator, Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, OMB; Richard D. Otis, Jr., Deputy Associate Administrator,
Policy, Economics, and Innovation, EPA; Veronica Vargas Stidvent, Assistant
Secretary, Policy, Department of Labor; and public witnesses.

VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS PROMOTION ACT

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3082,
Veteran-Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2005.

MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT OF PHYSICIAN-ADMINISTERED DRUGS

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare
reimbursement of physician-administered drugs. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Herb B.
Kuhn, Director, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Robert A.
Vito, Regional Inspector General, Evaluations and Inspections; Bruce
Steinwald, Director, Health Care, Economic and Payment Issues, GAO; and Mark
Miller, Executive Director, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and public
witnesses.

TAX ADVICE PATENTING ADVICE

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures held a
hearing on issues relating to the patenting of tax advice. Testimony was heard
from James Toupin, General Counsel, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
Department of Commerce; Mark Everson, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the
Treasury; and public witnesses.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS

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



2006/07/14
Daily Digest - Friday, July 14, 2006; pages D775 - D780

Committee Meetings

No committee meetings were held.



2006/07/17
Daily Digest - Monday, July 17, 2006; pages D782 - D786

[Committee Meetings]

MARRIAGE PROTECTION AMENDMENT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on H.J. Res. 88,
proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to
marriage, providing 1 hour and 30 minutes of debate in the House equally
divided and controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their
designees. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the
joint resolution, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the
Chair may postpone further consideration of the joint resolution to a time
designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representative Conyers and
Frank of Massachusetts.



2006/07/18
Daily Digest - Tuesday, July 18, 2006; pages D788 - D796

Committee Meetings

CONSUMERS AND MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer
Protection held a hearing entitled "Motor Vehic1e Technology and the Consumer:
Views from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration." Testimony was
heard from Nicole R. Nason, Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, Department of Transportation.

MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES/IMAGING SERVICES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Use of Imaging Services: Providing Appropriate Care for Medicare
Beneficiaries." Testimony was heard from Herb Kuhn, Director, Center for
Medicare Management, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of
Health and Human Services; Glenn M. Hackbarth, Chairman, Medicare Payment
Advisory Commissions; and public witnesses.

INTERNET PHISHING PROTECTION

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and
Consumer Credit held a hearing on "ICANN and the Whois Database: Providing
Access To Protect Consumers From Phishing." Testimony was heard from John M.R.
Kneuer, Acting Assistant Secretary, Communications and Information and
Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
Department of Commerce; Eileen Harrington, Deputy Director, Bureau of Consumer
Protection, FTC; and public witnesses.

HUD PUBLIC HOUSING OUTLOOK

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census held
a hearing entitled "Public Housing in the 21st Century: HUD's View on the
Future of Public Housing in the United States." Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Housing and Urban Development: Roy A.
Bernardi, Deputy Secretary; and Orlando J. Cabrera, Assistant Secretary,
Public and Indian Housing.

ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2006; TELECOMMUTING

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization approved for full Committee action H.R. 5710, Ethics in
Government Reauthorization Act of 2006.

The Subcommittee also held a hearing entitled "Telecommuting: A 21st Century
Solution to Traffic Jams and Terrorism." Testimony was heard from Daniel
Green, Deputy Associate Director, Employee and Family Support Policy, OPM;
Danette Campbell, Senior Telework Advisor, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
Department of Commerce; Carl Froehlich, Chief, Agency-Wide Shared Services,
IRS, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D793]

GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR COST ESTIMATES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats, and International Relations held a hearing entitled "Global War on
Terrorism (GWT): Accuracy and Reliability of Cost Estimates." Testimony was
heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; the following officials
of the Department of State: Bradford R. Higgins, Assistant Secretary, Chief
Financial Officer, Bureau of Resource Management; and James R. Kunder,
Assistant Administrator, Asia and the Near East, U.S. Agency for International
Development; John P. Roth, Deputy Comptroller (Program/Budget), Office of the
Under Secretary (Comptroller), Department of Defense; Donald B. Marron, Acting
Director, CBO; and Amy F. Belasco, Specialist in National Defense, Foreign
Affairs, Defense and Trade Division, CRS, Library of Congress.

FEDERAL PAPERWORK REDUCTION

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs held a
hearing entitled "Another Year, Another Billion Hours: Evaluating Paperwork
Reduction Efforts in the Federal Government." Testimony was heard from Steve
Aitken, Acting Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
OMB; Beth Tucker, Director, Outreach, Communication, and Disclosure, Small
Business/Self-Employed Division, IRS, Department of the Treasury; Matthew
Berry, Deputy General Counsel, FCC; Linda D. Koontz, Director, Information
Management, GAO; and public witnesses.

BRIEFING--DHS STATE AND LOCAL FUSION CENTER

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment met in executive session to hold a
briefing on the DHS State and Local Fusion Center Initiative. The Subcommittee
was briefed by departmental witnesses.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims held a hearing entitled "Should We Embrace the Senate's Amnesty to
Millions of Illegal Aliens and Repeat the Mistakes of the Immigration Reform
and Control Act of 1986?" Testimony was heard from Representative Reyes; and
public witnesses.

ALTERNATIVE PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL THERAPIES ENHANCEMENT ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing 1 hour of
debate in the House on S. 2754, to derive human pluripotent stem cell lines
using techniques that do not knowingly harm embryos, 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. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit.

PLEDGE PROTECTION ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour
of general debate on H.R. 2389, Pledge Protection Act of 2005, equally divided
and controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their
designees. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the
bill. 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. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Akin and Watt.

NASA AERONAUTICS

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on
The National Academy of Sciences' Decadal Plan for Aeronautics: A Blueprint
for NASA? Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

VETERANS IDENTITY AND CREDIT PROTECTION ACT

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on the Veterans Identity and
Credit Protection Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Salazar, Blackburn, Hooley, and Capito; Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs; James A. William, Associate Administrator,
Federal Acquisition Service, GSA; the following former officials of the
Department of Veterans Affairs: Robert McFarland, and John A. Gauss, both
Assistant Secretaries, Information and Technology and Chief Information
Officers; and representatives of veterans organizations.

                                    [Page: D794]

HEALTH CARE PRICE TRANSPARENCY

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Price
Transparency. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

CIA DIRECTOR AS HUMINT MANAGER

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on The CIA Director as HUMINT Manager. Testimony was heard from
departmental witnesses.

BRIEFING--MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on the Middle East Crisis. The Committee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.



2006/07/19
Daily Digest - Wednesday, July 19, 2006; pages D798 - D806

Committee Meetings

GUEST WORKER PROGRAMS

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled "Guest
Worker Programs: Impact on the American Workforce and U.S. Immigration
Policy." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

YUCCA MOUNTAIN SCHEDULE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held
a hearing entitled "DOE's Revised Schedule for Yucca Mountain." Testimony was
heard from Edward F. Sproat, III, Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive
Waste Management, Department of Energy.

CLIMATE CHANGE ASSESSMENTS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Questions Surrounding the 'Hockey Stick' Temperature
Studies: Implications for Climate Change Assessments." Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.

NONADMITTED AND REINSURANCE REFORM ACT

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance,
and Government Sponsored Enterprises approved for full Committee action, as
amended, H.R. 5637, Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2006.

COIN AND CURRENCY ISSUES

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International
Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing entitled "Coin and
Currency Issues Facing Congress: Can We Still Afford Money?" Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Larry
Felix, Director, Bureau of Engraving and Printing; and David A. Lebryk, Acting
Director, U.S. Mint; Louise Roseman, Director, Division of Reserve Bank
Operations and Payment Systems, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System;
Scott Johnson, Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Investigative
Division, U.S. Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security; Brent D.
Glass, Director, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution;
and public witnesses.

CUTTING GOVERNMENT WASTE

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Cutting Out the
Waste: An Overview of H.R. 5766, Government Efficiency Act; and H.R. 3282,
Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 2005." Testimony
was heard from Representatives Tiahrt and Brady of Texas; and public
witnesses.

                                    [Page: D803]

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AUTHORIZATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5814,
Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 5414,
To enact certain laws relating to public contracts as title 41, United States
Code, "Public Contracts;" H.R. 3509, amended, Workplace Goods Job Growth and
Competitiveness Act of 2005; and H.R. 5535, amended, Prevention of Civil RICO
Abuse Act of 2006.

The Committee began markup of H.R. 1704, Second Chance Act of 2005.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 138,
amended, To revise the boundaries of John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources
System Jekyll Island Unit GA-06P; H.R. 383, amended, Ice Age Floods National
Geologic Trail Designation Act of 2005; H.R. 631, To provide for acquisition
of subsurface mineral rights to land owned by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and land
held in trust for the Tribe; H.R. 1796, Mississippi River Trail Study Act;
H.R. 2110, amended, Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection
Study Act; H.R. 2334, amended, City of Oxnard Water Recycling and Desalination
Act of 2005; H.R. 3350, Tribal Development Corporation Feasibility Study Act
of 2005; H.R. 3534, Piedras Blancs Historic Light Station Outstanding Natural
Area Act of 2005; H.R. 3961, To authorize the National Park Service to pay for
services rendered by subcontractors under a General Service Administration
Indefinite Deliver/Quantity Contract issued for work to be completed at the
Grant Canyon National Park; H.R. 4382, Southern Nevada Readiness Center Act;
H.R. 4588, amended, Water Resources Research Act Amendments of 2005; H.R.
4750, amended, Lower Republican River Basin Study Act; H.R. 4789, amended, To
require the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain public land located
wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Wells Hydroelectric Project
of Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County, Washington to the utility
district; H.R. 4857, Endangered Species Compliance and Transparency Act of
2006; H.R. 4957, amended, Tylersville Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act; H.R. 5016,
amended, Las Cienegas Enhancement Act; H.R. 5025, amended, Mount Hood
Stewardship Legacy Act; H.R. 5132, amended, River Basin National Battlefield
Study Act; H.R. 5381, National Fish Hatchery System Volunteer Act of 2006;
H.R. 5539, amended, North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization Act
of 2006; H.R. 5802, amended, NPS Concessions Reform Act of 2006, H.R. 3603,
amended, Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act; and H.R. 233,
Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act.

UNITED STATES-OMAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 7 to 3, a closed rule providing 2
hours of debate in the House on H.R. 5684, United States-Oman Free Trade
Agreement Implementation Act, 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 pursuant to section 151 of the Trade Act of 1974, the previous
question shall be considered as ordered on the bill to final passage without
intervening motion. Finally, the rule provides that during consideration of
the bill, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair
may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the
Speaker in consonance with section 151 of the Trade Act of 1974. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Shaw and Cardin.

VOTING MACHINES

Committee on Science and the Committee on House Administration, held a joint
hearing on Voting Machines: Will New Standards and Guidelines Prevent Future
Problems? Testimony was heard from Donetta Davidson, Commissioner, Election
Assistance Commission; William Jeffrey, Director, National Institute of
Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce; Mary Kiffmeyer, Secretary,
State of Minnesota; Linda Lamone, Administrator of Elections, Board of
Elections, State of Maryland; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following
bills: H.R. 5483, Railroad Retirement Disability Earnings Act; H.R. 5782,
amended, Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2006; H.R. 5808, amended, Public
Transportation Security Assistance Act of 2006; H.R. 5810, amended, To amend
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 to authorize funding for brownfields revitalization activities and State
response programs; H.R. 5830, Wright Amendment Reform Act; H.R. 5811, amended,
MARPOl Annex VI Implementation Act of 2006; and H.R. 4653, To repeal a
prohibition on the use of certain funds for tunneling in certain areas with
respect to the Los Angeles to San Fernando Metro Rail project, California.

                                    [Page: D804]

The Committee also approved GSA Capital Investment and Leasing Program
Resolutions.

OVERSIGHT--TRANSIT SAFETY

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Transit Safety: the Federal
Transit Administration's State Safety Oversight Program. Testimony was heard
from Susan E. Schruth, Associate Administrator, Program Management, Federal
Transit Administration, Department of Transportation; Kate Siggerud, Director,
Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS CLAIMS DEVELOPMENT

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs held a hearing on the role of national, state, and county
veterans' service officers in claims development. Testimony was heard from
Jack McCoy, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Policy and Program Management,
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; COL. Warren
R. McPherson, USMC (Ret.), Executive Director, Department of Veterans Affairs,
State of Florida; Tim Tetz, Executive Director, Office of Veterans Services,
State of Nevada; and representatives of veterans organizations.

WELFARE REFORM REVIEW

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing to Review Outcomes of 1996 Welfare
Reforms. Testimony was heard from Senator Santorum; former Speaker of the
House Newt Gingrich of Georgia; Tommy G. Thompson, former Secretary of Health
and Human Services; June O'Neill, former Director, CBO; and public witnesses.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a hearing on the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act. Testimony was heard from Judge Richard A.
Posner, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; and public witnesses.



2006/07/20
Daily Digest - Thursday, July 20, 2006; pages D808 - D816

Committee Meetings

INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE CONVENTIONS

Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing on H.R. 3849, PIC and POPs
Conventions and the LRTAP POPs Protocol Implementation Act. Testimony was
heard from Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, EPA.

TRIBAL LABOR RELATION RESTORATION ACT

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-Employee
Relations held a hearing on H.R. 16, Tribal Labor Relations Restoration Act of
2005. Testimony was heard from Representative Hayworth; Joe Garcia, Governor,
Pueblo of San Juan, San Juan Pueblo, State of New Mexico; and public
witnesses.

                                    [Page: D813]

WARNING, ALERT, AND RESPONSE NETWORK ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet held a hearing on H.R. 5785, Warning, Alert, and Response Network
Act. Testimony was heard from Julius Knapp, Acting Chief, Office of
Engineering and Technology, FCC; and public witnesses.

MONETARY POLICY AND THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY

Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on monetary policy and the
state of the economy. Testimony was heard from Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman,
Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; COMMITTEE REPORT; CLIMATE CHANGE

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
5664, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
110 Cooper Street, Babylon, New York, as the "Jacob Fletcher Post Office
Building;" H. Res. 605, Recognizing the life of Preston Robert Tisch and his
outstanding contributions to New York City, the New York Giants Football Club,
the National Football League, and the United States; H. Res. 901, Honoring
former President William Jefferson Clinton on the occasion of his 60th
birthday; H.R. 3282, Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act
of 2005; H.R. 5766, amended, Government Efficiency Act of 2006; H.R. 4087,
District of Columbia Court, Offender Supervision, Parole, and Public Defender
Employees Equity Act of 2005; H.R. 4846, To authorize a grant for
contributions toward the establishment of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential
Library; and H. Res. 912, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Life
Insurance Awareness Month.

The Committee also approved a Committee Report entitled "Brownfields: What
Will It Take to Turn Lost Opportunities Into America's Gain?"

The Committee also held a hearing entitled "Climate Change: Understanding the
Degree of the Problem." Testimony was heard from Jim Connaughton, Chairman,
Council on Environmental Quality; Thomas Karl, Director, National Climate Data
Center, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.

FENCING THE BORDER

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources and the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure
Protection, and Cyber-Security of the Committee on Homeland Security joint
hearing entitled "Fencing the Border: Construction Options and Strategic
Placement." Testimony was heard from Representatives Hunter, Reyes, Pearce,
and King of Iowa; the following officials of the Department of Homeland
Security: Kevin Stevens, Senior Associate Chief, Customs and Border
Protection; and Carlton Mann, Chief Inspector, Office of Inspections and
Special Reviews, Office of Inspector General; and public witnesses.

HYBRID CARS/OIL DEPENDENCE REDUCTION

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a
hearing entitled "Hybrid Cars: Increasing Fuel Efficiency and Reducing Oil
Dependence." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

BRIEFING--NATIONAL ASSET DATABASE

Committee on Homeland Security: Met in executive session to receive a briefing
on the National Asset Database by the Department of Homeland Security Office
of Infrastructure Protection. The Committee was briefed by a departmental
witness.

ASIAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Asian Free Trade
Agreements: Are They Good for the USA? Testimony was heard from Karan K.
Bhatia, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative.

AIRCRAFT/WEAPONS SALE TO PAKISTAN

Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the Sale of F-16
Aircraft and Weapons Systems to Pakistan. Testimony was heard from John
Hillen, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department
of State.

ANGOLA'S LONG DELAYED ELECTION

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Angola's Long Delayed
Election. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of State: Dan Mozena, Director, Office of Southern African Affairs, Bureau of
African Affairs; and Paul Bonicelli, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Democracy
and Governance, U.S. Agency for International Development; and public
witnesses.

U.S. NONPROLIFERATION STRATEGY

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on U.S. Nonproliferation Strategy: Policies and
Technical Capabilities. Testimony was heard Francis C. Record, Acting
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation,
Department of State; and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D814]

REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on H.R. 682, Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act. Testimony
was heard from Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy, SBA; J.
Christopher Mihm, Managing Director-Strategic Issues, GAO; and public
witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--ENERGY EMPLOYEES OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and
Claims held an oversight hearing entitled "Energy Employees Occupational
Illness Compensation Program Act: Are We Fulfilling the Promise We Made to
Cold War Veterans When We Created the Program? Part 3 in a Series." Testimony
was heard from Austin Smythe, Acting Deputy Director, OMB; Lewis Wade, Special
Assistant to the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, Department of Health and Human Services; and a public witness.

OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held an oversight
hearing on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Growing Operations Crisis
Within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Testimony was heard from Dale
Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior;
and public witnesses.

CHINESE BARRIERS TO TRADE

Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture,
and Technology and the Subcommittee on Tax, Finance, and Exports held a joint
hearing entitled "Chinese Barriers to Trade: Does China Play Fair?" Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--USCG LICENSING AND DOCUMENTATION OF MERCHANT MARINERS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on U.S. Coast Guard
Licensing and Documentation of Merchant Mariners. Testimony was heard from
RADM, Craig E. Bone, USCG, Assistant Commandant for Prevention, U.S. Coast
Guard, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R.
5835, amended, Veterans Identify and Security Credit Security Act of 2006;
H.R. 5815, amended, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility
Authorization Act of 2006; H. Con. Res. 125, Expressing the support for the
designation and goals of "Hire a Veteran Week" and encouraging the President
to issue a proclamation supporting those goals; and H. Con. Res. 347, Honoring
the National Association of State Veterans Homes and the 119 State veterans
homes providing long-term care to veterans that are represented by that
association for their contributions to the health care of veterans and the
health care system of the Nation.

U.S-PERU TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT

Committee on Ways and Means: Approved the draft implementing proposal on the
United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act.

FBI CONFIDENTIAL HUMAN SOURCE OPERATIONS

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human
Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to
hold hearing on FBI Confidential Human Source Operations. Testimony was heard
from departmental witnesses.



2006/07/21
Daily Digest - Friday, July 21, 2006; pages D818 - D824

Committee Meetings

POLICING CAPITAL SITES

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Policing Capital
Sites: Improving Coordination, Training and Equipment." Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: RADM Terence
McKnight, USN, Commandant, Naval District Washington, Department of the Navy;
and MG Guy C. Swan, III, USA, Military District of Washington, Department of
the Army; Joseph W. Trindal, Regional Director, National Capital Region,
Federal Protective Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of
Homeland Security; and Michael D. Fogarty, Assistant Chief of Police, U.S.
Park Police, National Park Service, Department of the Interior.



2006/07/24
Daily Digest - Monday, July 24, 2006; pages D825 - D830

Committee Meetings

BUSINESS ACTIVITY TAX SIMPLIFICATION ACT OF 2006

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing 1 hour of
debate in the House on H.R. 1956, Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of
2006, 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 provides that the amendment in the
nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now
printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. Finally, the rule provides
one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Sensenbrenner and Representatives Delahunt and Dicks.



2006/07/25
Daily Digest - Tuesday, July 25, 2006; pages D832 - D840

Committee Meetings

HORSE PROTECTION ACT AMENDMENTS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing on H.R. 503, To amend the Horse Protection
Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving,
possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be
slaughtered for human consumption. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Sweeney and Goodlatte; and public witnesses.

MEDICARE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on How
To Build a Payment System That Provides Quality, Efficient Care for Medicare
Beneficiaries. Testimony was heard from Donald B. Marron, Acting Director,
CBO; A. Bruce Steinwald, Director, Health Care, GAO; Mark Miller, Executive
Director, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and a public witness.

Hearings continue July 27.

REAL ESTATE MARKET

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity held a hearing entitled "Changing Real Estate Market." Testimony
was heard from J. Bruce McDonald, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust
Division, Department of Justice; Maureen K. Ohlhausen, Director, Office of
Policy Planning, FTC; David G. Wood, Director, Financial Markets and Community
Investment, GAO; and public witnesses.

TERRORISM THREATS AND THE INSURANCE MARKET

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
and the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk
Assessment of the Committee on Homeland Security held a joint hearing entitled
"Terrorism Threats and the Insurance Market." Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

RE-EMPLOYING FEDERAL RETIREES

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency
Organization held a hearing entitled "Retirees Returning to the Rescue:
Re-employing Annuitants in Times of National Need." Testimony was heard from
Nancy Kichak, Associate Director, Strategic Human Resources Policy Division,
OPM; Patricia Bradshaw, Deputy Under Secretary, Civilian Personnel Policy,
Department of Defense; Barbara Panther, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Human Resources and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs; Ronald
Sanders, Chief Human Capitol Officer, Office of the Director of National
Intelligence; and public witnesses.

DOD EXCESS PROPERTY SECURITY RISKS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled "DOD Excess
Property: Inventory Control Breakdowns Present a Security Risk." Testimony was
heard from Gregory Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special
Investigations, GAO; and from the following officials of the Department of
Defense: Alan F. Estevez, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary (Supply Chain
Integration); MG Bennie E. Williams, USA, Director, Logistics Operations,
Defense Logistic Agency; and Paul Peters, Director, Defense Reutilization and
Marketing Service.

STOPPING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs held a
hearing entitled "Is the Federal Government Doing All It Can To Stem the Tide
of Illegal Immigration." Testimony was heard from Martin H. Gerry, Deputy
Commissioner, Social Security for Disability and Income Support Programs, SSA;
Al Robinson, Acting Administrator, Wage and Hour Administration, Employment
Standards Administration, Department of Labor; the following officials of the
Department of Homeland Security: Janis Sposato, Associate Director, National
Security and Records Verification Directorate, U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Service; and Matthew Allen, Deputy Assistant Director, U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and K. Steven Burgess, Director,
Examinations Small Business/Self Employed Division, IRS, Department of the
Treasury.

                                    [Page: D837]

CENTRAL ASIAN ENERGY AND SECURITY ISSUES

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Middle East and Central
Asia held a hearing on Assessing Energy and Security Issues in Central Asia.
Testimony was heard from Steven R. Mann, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Department of State; Lana Ekimoff,
Director, Office of Russian and Eurasian Affairs, Department of Energy; and
public witnesses.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT ANNIVERSARY

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held an oversight hearing entitled "The 60th Anniversary of the Administrative
Procedure Act: Where Do We Go From Here?" Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MANAGEMENT POLICIES

Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight
hearing entitled "The Recently Released Final Draft of the National Park
Service Management Policies." Testimony was heard from Fran Mainella,
Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

CONFERENCE REPORT--VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE ACT

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order
against the conference report to accompany S. 250, to amend the Carl D.
Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1988 to improve the Act, and
against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall
be considered as read. Testimony was heard from Chairman McKeon (CA).

UNITED STATES AND INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION PROMOTION ACT OF 2006

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour
of general debate on H.R. 5682, to exempt from certain requirements of the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 a proposed nuclear agreement for cooperation with
India, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on International Relations. 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
International Relations 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 makes in order only those further amendments printed in part B
of the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. 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 Rules Committee report. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit
with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Hyde,
Representatives Fortenberry, Upton, Lantos, Berman, Lee, Markey, Woolsey, and
Jackson-Lee of Texas.

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT

Committee on Science: Held a hearing on Scientific and Technical Assessment
and Advice for the U.S. Congress. Testimony was heard from Representative
Holt; and public witnesses.

IRS REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ACT COMPLIANCE

Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on the Failure To Comply With the
Regulatory Flexibility Act: IRS Endangering Small Businesses Yet Again.
Testimony was heard from Donald L. Korb, Chief Counsel, IRS, Department of the
Treasury; Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel, Advocacy, SBA; and public
witnesses.

RAIL SAFETY HUMAN FACTORS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held
an oversight hearing on Human Factors Issues in Rail Safety. Testimony was
heard from Joseph Boardman, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration,
Department of Transportation; Robert Chipkevich, Director, Office of Rail,
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations, National Transportation
Safety Board; and public witnesses.

CUSTOMS BUDGET AUTHORIZATIONS

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on Customs
Budget Authorizations and Other Customs Issues. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: W. Ralph Basham,
Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Julie Myers, Assistant
Secretary, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and public witnesses.



2006/07/26
Daily Digest - Wednesday, July 26, 2006; pages D842 - D852

Committee Meetings

MILITARY COMMISSIONS AND TRIBUNALS STANDARDS

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on standards of military
commissions and tribunals. Testimony was heard from Jennifer Elsea,
Legislative Attorney, American Law Division, CRS, Congressional Research
Service, Library of Congress; and public witnesses

NUCLEAR MATERIAL DISPOSITION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
on plutonium disposition and the U.S. Mixed Oxide Fuel Facility. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Ambassador
Linton F. Brooks, Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration; and
Charles Anderson, Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of
Environmental Management; Ambassador Michael Guhin, Fissile Materials
Negotiator, Department of State; and a public witness.

                                    [Page: D847]

ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE--EXAMINING VIEWS

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Education Reform
held a hearing on Examining Views on English as the Official Language.
Testimony was heard from Senator Paul McKinley, General Assembly, State of
Iowa; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
4583, amended, Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards
Conforming Act; H.R. 1078, amended, Social Security Number Protection Act of
2005; and H.R. 5863, To authorize temporary emergency extensions to certain
exemptions to the requirements with respect to polychlorinated biphenyls under
the Toxic Substances Control Act.

SILICOSIS STORY

Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing on the Silicosis Story: Mass Tort Screening and the Public
Health. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
5503, FHA Multifamily Loan Limit Adjustment Act of 2006; H.R. 5851, Hawaiian
Ownership Opportunity Act; and H.R. 5637, amended, Nonadmitted and Reinsurance
Reform Act of 2006.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy
and Human Resources held a hearing entitled "Prescription Drug Abuse: What is
Being Done to Address this New Drug Epidemic." Testimony was heard from Bertha
Madras, Deputy Director, Demand Reduction, Office of National Drug Policy; the
following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Nora D.
Volkow, M.D., Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH; and Sandra
Kweder, M.D., Deputy Director, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation
and Review, FDA; Joe Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of
Diversion Control, DEA, Department of the Judiciary; and public witnesses.

FOIA IMPLEMENTATION

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management,
Finance, and Accountability held a hearing entitled "Implementing FOIA--Does
the Administration's Executive Order Improve Processing?" Testimony was heard
from Senators Cornyn and Leahy; Representative Sherman; Dan Metcalfe,
Director, Office of Information and Privacy, Department of Justice; Linda
Koontz, Director, Information Management Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTERS PREPAREDNESS

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Science and Technology held a hearing entitled "Emergency Care Crisis: A
Nation Unprepared for Public Health Disasters." Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.

REGIONAL IMMIGRATION CRISIS

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held
a hearing on Immigration: Responding to a Regional Crisis. Testimony was heard
from Crescenio Arcos, Assistant Secretary, Office of International Affairs,
Office of Policy, Department of Homeland Security; the following officials of
the Department of State: Elizabeth A. Whitaker, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs; and Mark Silverman, Principal Deputy
Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S.
Agency for International Development; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; COMMITTEE BUSINESS; ISSUANCE OF A SUBPOENA

Committee on the Judiciary: to continue mark up of H.R. 1704, Second Chance
Act of 2005; and to mark up the following bills: H.R. 2679, Public Expression
of Religion Act of 2005; H.R. 5092, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006; H.R. 5005, Firearms
Corrections and Improvements Act; H.R. 1384, Firearm Commerce Modernization
Act; and H.R. 1415, NICS Improvement Act of 2005.

The Committee also approved the following motions: Establishing a Special
Investigative Task Force of the Committee for the consideration of H. Res.
916, Impeaching Manuel L. Real, judge of the United States District Court for
the Central District of California, for high crimes and misdemeanors; and to
authorize the issuance of a subpoena to Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor.

                                    [Page: D848]

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 479,
amended, To replace a Coastal Barrier Resources System map relating to Coastal
Barrier Resources System Grayton Beach Unit FL-095 in Walton County, Florida;
H.R. 4893, amended, To amend section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to
restrict off-reservation gaming; H.R. 5861, amended, To amend the National
Historic Presevation Act; and S. 1773, Pueblo de San Llidefonso Claims
Settlement Act of 2005.

HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION ACT OF 2005

Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a structured rule providing
one hour of general debate on H.R. 4157, to amend the Social Security Act to
encourage the dissemination, security, confidentiality, and usefulness of
health information technology, with 35 minutes equally divided and controlled
by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and
Commerce, and 25 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
in lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on Energy and Commerce
and Ways and Means now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a
substitute printed in part A of the Rules Committee report accompanying the
resolution, modified by the amendment printed in Part B of the report, 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 further amendments printed in part C of the
Rules Committee report. The rule provides that the amendments printed in part
C of the report may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be
offered only be 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 in the Rules Committee report. The rule provides
one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule provides that
after passage of H.R. 4157, it shall be in order to consider in the House S.
1418. The rule waives all points of order against the Senate bill and against
its consideration. The rule provides that it shall be in order to move to
strike all after the enacting clause of the Senate bill and to insert in lieu
thereof the provisions of H.R. 4157 as passed by the House. The rule waives
all points of order against that motion. The rule provides that if the motion
is adopted and the Senate bill, as amended, is passed, then it shall be in
order to move that the House insist on its amendments to S. 1418 and request a
conference with the Senate thereon. Finally, the rule provides that H. Res.
924 is laid on the table. Testimony was heard from Chairman Barton,
Representatives Wilson of South Carolina, Gingrey, McMorris, Price of Georgia,
Pallone, Markey, Towns, Wynn, Jackson of Illinois, Kennedy of Rhode Island,
and Christensen.

SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule
XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is
reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from
the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any special rule reported
on the legislative day of July 27, 2006, providing for consideration or
disposition of any of the following measures: (1) a conference report to
accompany the bill (H.R. 2830) to amend the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform the
pension funding rules, and for other purposes; (2) a bill to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the unified credit against the
estate tax to an exclusion equivalent of $5,000,000, to repeal the sunset
provision for the estate and generation-skipping taxes, and to extend expiring
provisions, and for other purposes.

GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2006

Committee on Rules: Testimony was heard from Chairman Davis (VA),
Representatives Boehlert, Tiahrt, and Weiner, but action was deferred on H.R.
5766, Government Efficiency Act of 2006.

OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL DAM SAFETY PROGRAM ACT

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management held an oversight
hearing on proposed amendments to and reauthorization of the National Dam
Safety Program Act. Testimony was heard from David I. Maurstad, Director,
Mitigation Division and Federal Insurance Administrator, FEMA, Department of
Homeland Security; Steven L. Stockton, Deputy Director, Civil Works, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers; Ruth A. Moore, Deputy Commissioner, Natural Resources and
Water Quality, Department of Environmental Conservation, State of New York;
and public witnesses.

                                    [Page: D849]

IMPACTS OF BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION ON WAYS AND MEANS PROGRAMS

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on Impacts of Border Security and
Immigration on Ways and Means Programs. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Wade F. Horn,
Assistant Secretary, Children and Families; and Thomas A. Gustafson, Deputy
Director, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Julie L. Myers,
Assistant Secretary, U.S. Immigration and Customs Reform, Department of
Homeland Security; Mark W. Emerson, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the
Treasury; Jo Anne B. Barnhart, Commissioner, SSA; and public witnesses.

INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY ACQUISITION REFORM

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on Intelligence Community Acquisition Reform. Testimony was heard from
departmental witnesess.



2006/07/27
Daily Digest - Thursday, July 27, 2006; pages D853 - D862

Committee Meetings

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Agriculture: Ordered unfavorably reported H.R. 503, amended, the
Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving,
delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses
and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption; and H.R. 3849, PIC
and POPs Conventions and the LRTAP POPs Protocol Implementation Act.

Prior to this action, the Committee held a hearing on these measures.
Testimony was heard from the following members of Congress: John E. Sweeney;
and Don Sherwood; former Congressman Charles W. Stenholm; and public
witnesses.

REVIEW CONSERVATION ISSUES

Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural
Development, and Research held a hearing to review Conservation Issues.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Mark E. Rey,
Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment; and Teresa C. Lasseter,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency; and public witnesses.

BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing
on Border Security and Immigration Enforcement, Testimony was heard from
Secretary Michael Chertoff, Homeland Security.

CENSUS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of
State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the
Census. Testimony was heard from Charles L. Kincannon, Bureau of the Census,
Department of Commerce; and Brenda Farrell, Acting Director, Strategic Issues,
GAO.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing on No Child Left
Behind: Can Growth Models Ensure Improved Education for All Students.
Testimony was heard from Marlene S. Shaul, Director, Workforce and Income
Security Issues, GAO; Joel I. Klein, Chancellor, New York City Department of
Education; and public witnesses.

EFFICIENT CARE FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health continued hearings on
How to Build a Payment System that Provides Quality, Efficient Care for
Medicare Beneficiaries. Testimony was heard from Mark B. McClellan, MD,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of
Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.

PIPELINE SAFETY MEASURES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held
a hearing on the following: Pipeline Safety Improvement Act Reauthorization;
and H.R. 5872, Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2006. Testimony was heard
from Thomas J. Barrett, Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Administration, Department of Transportation; and Donald L. Mason,
Commissioner, Public Utilities Commission, State of Ohio.

                                    [Page: D859]

CLIMATE CHANGE ASSESSMENTS IMPLICATIONS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
continued hearings entitled "Questions Surrounding the 'Hockey Stick'
Temperature Studies: Implications for Climate Change Assessments." Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.

HOLOCAUST ART ASSETS

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International
Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing entitled "Review of the
Repatriation of Holocaust Art Assets in the United States." Testimony was
heard from Stuart Eizenstat, Presidential Advisory, Commission on Holocaust
Assets in the U.S.; Catherine A. Lillie, Director, Holocaust Claims Processing
Office, New York State Banking Department; and public witnesses.

HOMELAND SECURITY ACQUISITION BUREAUCRACY

Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "Code Yellow: Is The
DHS Acquisition Bureaucracy a Formula for Disaster?" Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: David M.
Zavada, CPA, Assistant Inspector General, Office of Audits; Elaine Duke, Chief
Procurement Officer, Customs and Border Protection; and Richard Gunderson,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Acquisition, Transportation Security
Administration; Michael J. Sullivan, Director, Acquisition Sourcing and
Management, GAO; and a public witness.

ROYALTY RELIEF AND PRICE THRESHOLDS

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a
hearing entitled "Royalty Relief and Price Thresholds III." Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.

CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM ACT

Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported H.R. 5695, Chemical Facility
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN LATINO COMMUNITY ACT OF 2005;
OVERSIGHT--LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Committee on House Administration: Ordered reported H.R. 2134, amended,
Commission to Study t