110th Congress (2007 - 2008)
January 3 - June 27, 2008
House Committee Meetings by Date
Compiled from the Congressional Record's Daily Digests via Thomas at
thomas.loc.gov
You may search all Digest meeting records, from 1985 to the present, using
NCSU's U.S. Congressional Committee Meetings Index.
This database of committee hearings from the "Daily Digest" is not exhaustive, particularly so for field hearings.
2008/01/03
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 3, 2008; pages D1 - D2
No committee meetings were held.
2008/01/07
Daily Digest - Monday, January 7, 2008; pages D3 - D4
No committee meetings were held.
[Page: D4]
2008/01/09
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 9, 2008; pages D5 - D6
No committee meetings were held.
Page: D8]
2008/01/11
Daily Digest - Friday, January 11, 2008; pages D7 - D8
No committee meetings were held.
2008/01/15
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 15, 2008; pages D9 - D12
Committee Meetings
MITCHELL REPORT--ILLEGAL USE OF STEROIDS IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled "The
Mitchell Report: The Illegal Use of Steroids in Major League Baseball."
Testimony was heard from former Senator George Mitchell of Maine; Allen H.
(Bud) Selig, Commissioner, Major League Baseball; and Donald M. Fehr,
Executive Director, Major League Baseball Players Association.
S-MINER ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour
of general debate on H.R. 2768, Supplemental Mine Improvement and New
Emergency Response (S-MINER) Act of 2007, equally divided and controlled by
the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and
Labor. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill
except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in
the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor
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 except for
clause 10 of rule XXI.
The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee
report. 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 a division of
the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of
order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are
waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous
question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time
designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman George Miller of
California, and Representatives Ellsworth, McKeon, Wilson of South Carolina,
and Kline of Minnesota.
2008/01/16
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 16, 2008; pages D14 - D18
Committee Meetings
IRAQ--POST SURGE ALTERNATIVES
Committee on Armed Services; Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held
a hearing on A Continuing Dialogue: Post-Surge Alternatives for Iraq.
Testimony was heard from the following former officials of the Department of
Defense: John J. Hume, Deputy Secretary; GEN John M. Keane, USA (Ret.), Vice
Chief of Staff, Army; and GEN Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret.)
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES--MEDICAID'S CRITICAL ROLE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Helping Families with Needed Care: Medicaid's Critical Role for
Americans with Disabilities." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
U.S.-PAKISTAN RELATIONS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia
held a hearing on U.S.-Pakistan Relations: Assassination, Instability and the
Future of U.S. Policy. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
HOPE VI IMPROVEMENT AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a structured rule providing 1
hour of general debate on H.R. 3524, HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization
Act of 2007, 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 except clauses 9 and 10 of
rule XXI. 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 waives all points of order against the
amendment in the nature of a substitute except for clause 10 of rule XXI.
[Page: D16]
The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee
report. 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 a division of
the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of
order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are
waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous
question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time
designated by the Speaker. Finally, the rule tables H. Res. 894. Testimony was
heard from Chairman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, and Representatives Waters,
Capito and Neugebauer.
WOMEN'S PROCUREMENT PROGRAM--SBA'S PROGRESS
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "SBA's Progress in
Implementing the Women's Procurement Program." Testimony was heard from Steven
Preston, Administrator, SBA; Elizabeth Papez, Deputy Assistant Attorney
General, Office of Legal Counsel, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; GSA CAPITOL INVESTMENT AND LEASING RESOLUTIONS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following
measures: H.R. 3913, To amend the International Center Act to authorize the
lease or sublease of certain property described in such Act to an entity other
than a foreign government or international organization if certain conditions
are met; H.R. 4140. To designate the Port Angeles Federal Building in Port
Angeles, Washington, as the "Richard B. Anderson Federal Building;" H. Res.
832, Honoring the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a
recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Water State
Revolving and Innovation Award; H. Res. 845, amended, Recognizing the 60th
anniversary of Everglades National Park; H.R. 866, Honoring the brave men and
women of the United States Coast Guard whose tireless work, dedication, and
commitment to protecting the United States have led to the Coast Guard seizing
over 350,000 pounds of cocaine at sea during 2007, far surpassing all of our
previous records.
The Committee also approved General Services Administration Capitol and
Leasing Program Resolutions.
ECONOMICALLY VULNERABLE BENEFICIARIES--SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on
Social Security Benefits for Economically Vulnerable Beneficiaries. Testimony
was heard from David A. Rust, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Disability and
Income Security Programs, SSA; Laura R. Haltzel, Specialist In Social
Legislation, CRS, Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
BRIEFING--HOT SPOTS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Hot Spots. The Committee was briefed by departmental
witnesses.
CIA TAPES INVESTIGATION
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a
hearing on CIA Tapes Investigation. Testimony was heard from John Rizzo,
Acting General Counsel, CIA.
2008/01/17
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 17, 2008; pages D20 - D24
Committee Meetings
STATUS--DEVELOP IRAQI SECURITY FORCES
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Status of Efforts to
Develop Iraqi Security Forces. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: LTG James M. Dubik, USA, Commanding
General, Multi-National Security Transition Command--Iraq in Baghdad; and Mark
Kimmit, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Middle Eastern Affairs.
U.S. ECONOMY--NEAR-TERM OUTLOOK
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Near-Term Outlook for the U.S.
Economy. Testimony was heard from Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman, Board of
Governors, Federal Reserve System.
UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE IN BALI--ADMINISTRATION PERSPECTIVES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held
a hearing entitled "Administration Perspectives on United Nations Climate
Change Conference in Bali." Testimony was heard from James L. Connaughton,
Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality.
NATURALIZATION DELAYS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship,
Refugees, Border Security, and International Law held a hearing on
Naturalization Delays: Causes, Consequences and Solutions. Testimony was heard
from Emilio T. Gonzalez, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.
ASSESSING VETERANS' CHARITIES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Continued hearings on Assessing
Veterans' Charities--Part II. Testimony was heard from Belinda J. Johns,
Senior Assistant Attorney General, State of California; and public witnesses.
[Page: D22]
OVERSIGHT--EXPORT-IMPORT BANK'S IMPLEMENTATION OF SMALL BUSINESS MANDATE
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "Oversight of the U.S.
Export-Import Bank's Implementation of its Small Business Mandate." Testimony
was heard from James H. Lambright, Chairman and President, Export-Import Bank;
and public witnesses.
NATIONAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND REVENUE STUDY COMMISSION REPORT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held a hearing on the National
Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission Report:
Transportation for Tomorrow. Testimony was heard from Frank Busalacchi,
Secretary, Department of Transportation, State of Wisconsin; and public
witnesses.
REVIEW PENDING MONTGOMERY GI BILL PROPOSALS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a
hearing to review pending Montgomery G.I. Bill legislation. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Thomas L.
Bush, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Reserve Affairs; and Curtis L.
Gilroy, Director, Accession Policy, Office of the Under Secretary, Personnel
and Readiness; Keith M. Wilson, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefit
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of
veterans organizations.
VETERANS' HEALTH PROPOSALS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the
following bills: H.R. 2790, To amend title 38, United States Code, to
establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the
office of the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health; H.R. 3458, To
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on the
provision of traumatic brain injury care in rural areas; H.R. 3819, Veterans
Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007; H.R. 4053, Mental Health Improvements Act
of 2007; H.R. 4107, Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act; H.R. 4146, To
amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the availability of emergency
medical care for veterans in non-Department of Veteran Affairs medical
facilities; H.R. 4204, Veterans Suicide Study Act; and H.R. 4231, Rural
Veterans Health Care Access Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Hare, Herseth-Sandlin, Space, Capito, Honda, Boswell and
Kagen; Gerald M. Cross, M.D., Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Health,
Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and
representatives of veterans organizations
BRIEFING--HOT SPOTS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human
Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to
receive a briefing on U.S. Hostages in Colombia. The Subcommittee was briefed
by ADM James Stavridis, USN, Commander, U.S. South Command.
POLAR BEARS FUTURE
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing
entitled "On Thin Ice: the Future of the Polar Bear." Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of the Interior: H. Dale Hall,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Randall Luthi, Director, Minerals
Management Service; and Steven Amstrup, Polar Bear Team Leader, U.S.
Geological Survey; and public witnesses.
2008/01/18
Daily Digest - Friday, January 18, 2008; pages D25 - D26
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
[Page: 26]
2008/01/22
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 22, 2008; pages D27 - D32
Committee Meetings
ARAB WORLD--CENSORSHIP AND INCITEMENT
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia
held a hearing on That which is not obligatory is prohibited: Censorship and
Incitement in the Arab World. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
2008/01/23
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 23, 2008; pages D33 - D38
Committee Meetings
ARMY CONTRACTING TASK FORCE; DOD OUTSOURCING--GAO
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on Army Contracting Task Force. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of the Army: Ross Thompson, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Acquisition, Logistics and Technology; and Daniel Quinn,
Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
The Subcommittee also met in executive session to hold a hearing on DOD
Outsourcing--GAO. Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller
General, GAO.
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY--PROPOSALS FOR REFORM AND RESTRUCTURING
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and
Related Programs held a hearing on Foreign Assistance in the 21st Century:
Proposals for Reform and Restructuring. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
AFGHANISTAN--U.S. STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Assessment of U.S. Strategy and
Operations in Afghanistan and the Way Ahead. Testimony was heard from LTG
David W. Barno, USA (Ret.), Director, Near East South Asia Center for
Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Department of Defense; and
public witnesses.
IRAQ--POST SURGE ALTERNATIVES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
continued hearings on A Continuing Dialogue: Post-Surge Alternatives for Iraq
(Part 2). Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
CBO BUDGET AND ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Congressional Budget Office's
Budget and Economic Outlook. Testimony was heard from Peter Orszag, Director,
CBO.
EARLY EDUCATION
Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on Investing in Early
Education: Paths to Improving Children's Success. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
[Page: D36]
VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE EXPANSION ACT OF 2007
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on
H.R. 1232, Veterinary Public Health Workforce Expansion Act of 2007. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
COMBATING NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Combating Nuclear Proliferation: The Effectiveness of
the Department of Energy's Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention (IPP)
Program." Testimony was heard from Adam Scheinman, Assistant Deputy
Administrator, Office of Nonproliferation and International Security, National
Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy; Richard Stratford,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Security and
Nonproliferation, Department of State; and Robert A. Robinson, Managing
Director, Natural Resources and the Environment, GAO.
IRAQ--PROPOSED U.S. SECURITY COMMITMENT
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations,
Human Rights, and Oversight and the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South
Asia held a joint hearing on the Proposed U.S. Security Commitment to Iraq:
What Will Be In It and Should It Be a Treaty? Testimony was heard from Kenneth
Katzman, Specialist in Middle East Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade
Division, CRS, Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2008
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security and
Infrastructure Protection approved for full Committee action, as amended, the
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008.
FUTURE OF U.S. EMBASSIES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National
Security and Foreign Affairs held a hearing on Fortress America Abroad:
Effective Diplomacy and the Future of U.S. Embassies. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
SMALL BUSINESSES HEALTH CARE OPTIONS
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "Limited Health Care
Options for Small Businesses in the Small Group Market." Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
TRANSPORTATION WORKERS IDs
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Transportation Workers
Identification Credentials--Follow-Up. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Homeland Security: RADM Brian Salerno, USCG,
Assistant Commandant, Safety, Security, and Stewardship, U.S. Coast Guard; and
Maurine Fanguy, Transportation Workers Identification Credentials Program
Manager, Transportation Security Administration; John Porcari, Secretary,
Department of Transportation, State of Maryland; and a public witness.
GREAT LAKES IMPROVING WATER QUALITY PROGRESS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Progress Toward Improving Water
Quality in the Great Lakes. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Visclosky, Stupak, Kirk and Emanuel; David Maurer, Acting Director, Natural
Resources and Environment, GAO; Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator,
Office of Water, EPA; Stephen B. Brandt, Director, Great Lakes Environmental
Research Laboratory, NOAA, Department of Commerce; Charles Wooley, Acting
Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department
of the Interior; Christina Muedeking, Central Regional Assistant Chief,
Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA; and Irene Brooks, Chair, U.S.
Section, International Joint Commission of the U.S. and Canada.
CHINA
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human
Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to
hold a hearing on China. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.
AUCTION AND REVENUE RECYCLING UNDER CARBON CAP AND TRADE
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing
entitled "Cap, Auction, and Trade: Auctions and Revenue Recycling Under Carbon
Cap and Trade." Testimony was heard from Ian Bowles, Secretary of Energy and
Environmental Affairs, State of Massachusetts; and public witnesses.
2008/01/24
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 24, 2008; pages D39 - D42
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2008/01/25
Daily Digest - Friday, January 25, 2008; pages D44 - D48
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2008/01/28
Daily Digest - Monday, January 28, 2008; pages D50 - D54
Committee Meetings
SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY THE RULES
COMMITTEE--ECONOMIC STIMULUS
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 rules reported from the
Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any rule reported on the
legislative day of January 29, 2008, providing for consideration of a bill to
provide economic stimulus through recovery rebates to individuals, incentives
for business investment, and an increase in conforming and FHA loan limits.
NEW ENGLAND NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL DESIGNATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour
of general debate on H.R. 1528, New England National Scenic Trail Designation
Act, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule waives all points of
order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI.
The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended
by the Committee on Natural 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 except for clause 10 of rule XXI.
The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee
report. 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 a division of
the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of
order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are
waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous
question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time
designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representatives Grijalva
and Bishop of Utah.
2008/01/29
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 29, 2008; pages D55 - D62
Committee Meetings
OUTSOURCING--DOD INSPECTOR GENERAL
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
on DOD Inspector General on Outsourcing. Testimony was heard from Claude M.
Kicklighter, Inspector General, Department of Defense.
INTERAGENCY REFORM
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held
a hearing on Interagency Reform: Can the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)
Case Study Illuminate the Future of Reconstruction and Stabilization
Operations? Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
BOLSTER U.S. ECONOMY--USING FISCAL POLICY
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Using Fiscal Policy to Bolster the
U.S. Economy. Testimony was heard from Lawrence H. Summers, former Secretary
of the Treasury; and public witnesses.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT PROTECTIONS
Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on H.R. 3195, ADA Restoration
Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representative Hoyer; and public
witnesses.
COVERING UNINSURED KIDS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Covering Uninsured Kids: Missed Opportunities for Moving Forward."
Testimony was heard from Dennis G. Smith, Director, Center for Medicaid and
State Operations, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of
Health and Human Services; Ann C. Kohler, Deputy Commissioner, Department of
Human Services, State of New Jersey; Chris L. Peterson, Specialist in Health
Care Financing, Domestic Social Policy Division, CRS, Library of Congress; and
public witnesses.
ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS--FDA PRESCRIPTION DRUG SAFETY; FDA SCIENCE MISSION
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
agreed by a roll call vote of 12-0 a motion by Chairman Stupak to issue
subpoenas relating to witnesses and documents in connection with the
Subcommittee's ongoing investigation into the adequacy of the efforts of the
FDA to protect the American public from excessive risks from prescription
drugs and other matters.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing entitled "Science and Mission at Risk:
FDA's Self-Assessment." Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the GAO: Marcia G. Crosse, Director, Health Care; and Lisa Shames, Director,
Food and Agriculture Issues; Andrew C. von Esechenbach, M.D., Commissioner,
FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; Donna V. Porter, Specialist in
Life Sciences, Science Policy Research Division, CRS, Library of Congress; and
public witnesses.
DIGITAL TV AND PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and
Internet held a hearing entitled "Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG)
Services in the Digital TV Age." Testimony was heard from John B. O'Reilly,
Jr., Mayor, Dearborn, Michigan; and public witnesses.
WAKE OF DISASTERS--HOUSING PROGRAMS
Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled "Ensuring Safe and
Effective Housing Programs in the Wake of Disasters." Testimony was heard from
Carlos Castilllo, Assistant Administrator, Disaster Assistance Directorate,
FEMA, Department of Homeland Security; Henry Falk, M.D., Director,
Coordinating Center, Environmental Health and Injury Prevention, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services;
Nelson Bregon, General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Community
Planning and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Michael
Gerber, Executive Director, Department of Housing and Community Affairs, State
of Texas; and a public witness.
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE CRISIS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on the Growing Mortgage Foreclosure Crisis: Identifying
Solutions and Dispelling Myths. Testimony was heard from Jack Kemp, former
Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--STATE SECRETS PRIVILEGE REFORM
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights,
and Civil Liberties held an oversight hearing on Reform of the State Secrets
Privilege. Testimony was heard from Patricia Wald, Retired Chief Judge, U.S.
Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit; and public witnesses.
[Page: D58]
FEDERAL ESPIONAGE LAWS ENFORCEMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held a hearing on Enforcement of Federal Espionage Laws. Testimony
was heard from J. Patrick Rowan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General,
National Security Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--CALIFORNIA WATER DELIVERIES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an
oversight hearing on the "Immediate Federal and State Role in Addressing
Uncertain Water Deliveries for California and the Impacts on California
Communities." Testimony was heard from Bob Johnson, Commissioner, Bureau of
Reclamation, Department of the Interior; Lester Snow, Director, Department of
Water Resources, State of California; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; BREAST-CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING GAP
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Ordered reported the following
measures: H. Con. Res. 273, Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the National
Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; H. Res. 867, Commending the Houston
Dynamo soccer team for winning the 2007 Major League Soccer Cup; H. Res. 931,
Expressing the support for designation of February 17, 2008, as "Race Day in
America" and highlighting the 50th running of the Daytona 500; H. Res 942,
Recognizing the significance of Black History Month; H. Res. 943, Remembering
the space shuttle Challenger disaster and honoring its crew members, who lost
their lives on January 28, 1986; H.R. 3532, To designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 5815 McLeod Street in Lula, Georgia,
as the "Private Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office;" H.R. 3936, To designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 116 Highway in
Cleveland, Georgia as the "Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building;" H.R.
4203, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
3035 Stone Mountain Street in Lithonia, Georgia, as the "Jamaal RaShard
Addison Post Office Building;" H.R. 4454, To designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 3050 Hunsinger Lane in Louisville,
Kentucky, as the "Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes of Louisville
Memorial Post Office Building;" in honor of the service men and women from
Louisville, Kentucky, who died in service during Operation Enduring Freedom
and Operation Iraqi Freedom; H.R. 5135, To designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 201 West Greenway Street in Derby,
Kansas, as the "Sergeant Jamie O. Maugans Post Office Building;" S. 2272, To
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service known as the
Southpark Station in Alexandria, Louisiana, as the John "Marty" Thiels
Southpark Station, in honor and memory of Thiels, a Louisiana postal worker
who was killed in the line of duty on October 4, 2007; and S. 2478, To
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 59 Colby
in East Hampstead, New Hampshire, as the "Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post
Office."
The Committee also held a hearing on Addressing the Screening Gap: The
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Testimony was
heard from Rosemarie Henson, Deputy Director, National Center for Chronic
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; Pama Joyner, Director,
Breast and Cervical Health Program, Department of Health, State of Washington;
and public witnesses.
PLAIN LANGUAGE IN GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 2007
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Information
Policy, Census and National Archives approved for full Committee action H.R.
3548, Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007.
PAKISTANI ELECTIONS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National
Security and Foreign Affairs continued hearings on Pakistani Elections: Will
They Be Free and Fair or Fundamentally Flawed (Part II). Testimony was heard
from Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central
Asian Affairs, Department of State.
SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATING RESEARCH
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "SBIR: America's National
Technology Development Incubator." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
VA'S CLAIMS PROCESSING IMPROVEMENTS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs held a hearing on the Use of Artificial Intelligence to
Improve the VA's Claims Processing System. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Kim Graves,
Director, Office of Business Process Integration, Veterans Benefits
Administration; and Stephen W. Warren, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Office of Information and Technology; Gary Christopherson, former Veterans
Health Administration Chief Information Officer, Department of Veterans
Affairs; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses.
[Page: D59]
VA CREDENTIALING AND PATIENT SAFETY
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing on VA Credentialing and Privileging: A Patient Safety Issue.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans
Affairs: John D. Daigh, M.D., Assistant Inspector General, Healthcare
Inspections, Office of the Inspector General; Gerald M. Cross, M.D., Principal
Deputy Under Secretary for Health; and a public witness.
BRIEFING--PAKISTAN
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executives session to
receive a briefing on Pakistan. The Committee was briefed by departmental
witnesses.
2008/01/30
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 30, 2008; pages D64 - D68
Committee Meetings
GLOBAL WARMING
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing
entitled "Learning from a Laureate: Science, Security and Sustainability."
Testimony was heard from Rajendra K. Pachauri, Chairman, Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, United Nations.
2008/01/31
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 31, 2008; pages D70 - D76
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2008/02/04
Daily Digest - Monday, February 4, 2008; pages D77 - D82
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2008/02/05
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 5, 2008; pages D84 - D88
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
2008/02/06
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 6, 2008; pages D89 - D96
Committee Meetings
F-15 AIRCRAFT; WORLD-WIDE THREAT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on F-15 Aircraft. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of the Air Force: GEN T. Michael Moseley, USAF,
Chief of Staff; and GEN John D.W. Corley, USAF, Commander, Air Combat Command.
The Subcommittee also met in executive session to hold a briefing on
World-Wide Threat. The Subcommittee was briefed by J. Michael McConnell,
Director, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and Michael V.
Hayden, Director, CIA.
NATIONAL DEFENSE BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 National
Defense Budget Request from the Department of Defense. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Robert M. Gates,
Secretary; and ADM Michael G. Mullen, USN,Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
KENYA--POLITICAL CRISIS
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a
hearing on the Political Crisis in Kenya: A Call for Justice and Peaceful
Resolution. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of State: James C. Sawn, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African
Affairs; and Gregory Gottlieb, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for
Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, U.S. Agency for
International Development; Mia Farrow, Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations
Children's Fund; and public witnesses.
INDIAN LAND CLAIMS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Held a hearing on the following bills: H.R.
2176, To provide for and approve the settlement of certain land claims of the
Bay Mills Indian Community; and H.R. 4115, To provide for and approve the
settlement of certain land claims of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa
Indians. Testimony was heard from Representatives Dingell, Stupak, Kilpatrick,
Rogers of Michigan, Miller of Michigan, Conyers, Berkley and Thompson of
Mississippi; Carl Artman, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Department of the Interior; the following Mayors of Michigan: Alan R. Lambert,
Romulus; and Kwame Kilpatrick, Detroit; and public witnesses.
SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule
XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the
Committee on Rules.
The rule provides that the requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII for a
two-thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same
day it is presented to the House is waived with respect to any rule reported
on the legislative day of Thursday, February 7, 2008, relating to a bill to
provide economic stimulus.
COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY AND AFFORDABILITY ACT OF 2007
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing one
hour of general debate on H.R. 4137, College Opportunity and Affordability Act
of 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Education and Labor. The rule waives all points of
order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI.
The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended
by the Committee on Education and Labor 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 except for clause 10 of rule XXI.
The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee
report and the amendments en bloc. 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 a division of the question in the House or in the
Committee of the Whole. All points of order against the amendments except for
clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are waived. The rule also permits the chairman of
the Committee on Education and Labor or his designee to offer amendments en
bloc consisting of those amendments that have been printed in this report and
not earlier disposed of. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or
without instructions. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of
the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the
bill to a time designated by the Speaker. The rule tables House Resolution
941. Testimony was heard from Chairman George Miller of CA, Representatives
Susan Davis of CA, Dann Davis of IL, Alcee Hastings of FL, Edwards, Stupak,
Etheridge, Baird, Cooper, Tim Ryan of OH, Lincoln Davis of TN, McKeon, Castle
and Shays.
2008/02/07
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 7, 2008; pages D97 - D108
Committee Meetings
VETERINARY MEDICAL SERVICE ACT
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a
hearing to review the National Veterinary Medical Service Act. Testimony was
heard from Representative Kingston; Gale Buchanan, Under Secretary, Research,
Education and Economics, USDA; and a public witness.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on DOD Force Health Protection. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: Ward Cascells, M.D., Under
Secretary, Health Affairs; and Ellen Embrey, Under Secretary, Force Health
Protection.
The Subcommittee also met in executive session on the Surgeon Generals of the
Services. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Defense: VADM Adam M. Robinson, Jr., M.D.,USN.; LTG James G. Roudebush,
M.D., USAF; and LTG Eric B. Schoomaker, M.D., USA.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Interior, Overview. Testimony
was heard from Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior.
CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a hearing
on Capitol Visitor Center. Testimony was heard from Stephen Ayers, Acting
Architect of the Capitol; Terri Rouse, CEO for Visitor Services, and Bernie
Ungar, Project Executive, both with the Capitol Visitor Center; and Terry
Dorn, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans
Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Quality of Life. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Kenneth O.
Preston, SGM, USA.; Joe R. Campa, Jr., Master Chief Petty Officer, USN.;
Carlton W. Kent, MSgt., USMC, and Rodney J. McKinley, CMSgt., USAF.
TRANSPORTATION, HUD, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and
Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of
Transportation Fiscal Year Budget Request. Testimony was heard from Mary
Peters, Secretary of Transportation.
BENEFICIARY ADVOCACY OVERVIEW
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing
on beneficiary advocacy overview. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2009 BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2009
Budget. Testimony was heard from Jim Nussle, Director, OMB.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S FY BUDGET PROPOSAL
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled "Department of
Energy's Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Proposal." Testimony was heard from Samuel W.
Bodman, Secretary of Energy.
HOLOCAUST INSURANCE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2007
Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled "The Holocaust
Insurance Accountability Act of 2007 (H.R. 1746): Holocaust Era Insurance
Restitution After ICHEIC, the International Commission on Holocaust Era
Insurance Claims." Testimony was heard from Ambassador J. Christian Kennedy,
Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, Department of State; Michael Kurtz,
Assistant Archivist, Records Services, National Archives and Records
Administration; Stuart Eisenstat, former Special Representative of the
President and Secretary of State on Holocaust-Era Issues; and public
witnesses.
[Page: D104]
FINANCIAL SECTOR WORKPLACE DIVERSITY
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Diversity in the Financial Services Sector."
Testimony was heard from Orice M. Williams, Director, Financial Markets and
Community Investment, GAO; Ronald Edwards, Director, Program Research and
Surveys Division, Office of Research, Information and Planning, Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission; and public witnesses.
MERIDA INITIATIVE--U.S. OBLIGATIONS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held a
hearing on U.S. Obligations under the Merida Initiative. Testimony was heard
from Thomas A. Shannon, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere
Affairs, Department of State; Scott Burns, Deputy Director, Office of National
Drug Control Policy; Marisa R. Lino, Assistant Secretary, Office of
Policy/International Affairs, Department of Homeland Security; and the
following officials of the Department of Justice: William J. Hoover, Assistant
Director, Office of Field Operations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives; Anthony P. Placido, Assistant Administrator, and Chief of
Intelligence, DEA; and Kenneth W. Kaiser, Assistant Director, Criminal
Investigative Division, FBI.
HOMELAND SECURITY ACQUISITION/CONTRACTING
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats,
Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled "Other Transaction
Authority: Flexibility at the Expense of Accountability?" Testimony was heard
from the following official of the Department of Homeland Security: Thomas
Essig, Chief Procurement Officer; and Keith B. Ward, Chief Research and
Development Branch, Chemical and Biological Division, Science and Technology;
the following officials of the CRS, Library of Congress: Elaine Halchin,
Analyst, American National Government; and John D. Moteff, Specialist, Science
and Technology Policy; and John Needham, Acting Director, Acquisition and
Sourcing Management, GAO.
OVERSIGHT--JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on the Department of
Justice. Testimony was heard from Michael Mukasey, Attorney General,
Department of Justice.
FOREIGN SCHOLAR/STUDENT VISAS
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Research and Science
Education held a hearing on Visas for Foreign Scholars and Students. Testimony
was heard from Tony Edson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Visa Services, Bureau
of Consular Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation
approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R.
3916, To provide for the next generation of border and maritime security
technologies; H.R. 4847, United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act
of 2007; and H.R. 5161, Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and
Technology Transfer Act.
SBA'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2009
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "The Small Business
Administration's Budget for Fiscal Year 2009." Testimony was heard from Steven
C. Preston, Administrator, SBA.
FAA'S FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2009 Federal Aviation Administration
Budget. Testimony was heard from Ramesh K. Punwani, Assistant Administrator,
Financial Services, Chief Financial Officer, FAA, Department of
Transportation; and Gerald Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure
Issues, GAO.
AGENCY'S BUDGET AND PRIORITIES FISCAL YEAR 2009
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Agency Budgets and Priorities for
Fiscal Year 2009. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the EPA:
Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Water; Susan Parker Bodine,
Assistant Administrator, Solid Waste and Emergency Response; and the following
officials of the Department of the Army: John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant
Secretary, Civil Works; and LTG Robert Van Antwerp, USA, Chief of Engineers,
Corps of Engineers.
[Page: D105]
VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2009
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on the Department of Veterans
Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2009. Testimony was heard from James B.
Peake, M.D., Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans
organizations.
PRESIDENT'S BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on President Bush's Budget
Proposals for Fiscal Year 2009. Testimony was heard from Henry M. Paulson,
Jr., Secretary of the Treasury.
WORLDWIDE THREATS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a hearing on Worldwide
Threats. Testimony was heard from J. Michael McConnell, Director, Office of
the Director of National Intelligence; Michael V. Hayden, Director, CIA; LTG
Michael Maples, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense;
Robert Mueller, Director, FBI, Department of Justice; Charlie Allen, Chief
Intelligence Officer, Department of Homeland Security; and Randall M. Fort,
Assistant Secretary, Intelligence and Research, Department of State.
2008/02/08
Daily Digest - Friday, February 8, 2008; pages D109 - D116
Committee Meetings
SUDAN DIVESTMENT PRESIDENTIAL SIGNING STATEMENT
Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled "Negative
Implications of the President's Signing Statement on the Sudan Accountability
and Divestment Act." Testimony was heard from Frank T. Caprio, General
Treasurer, State of Rhode Island; Patricia M. Wald, former Judge and Chief
Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; and
public witnesses.
U.S. LONG-TERM IRAQ COMMITMENT
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations,
Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on the November 26 Declaration of
Principles: Implications for U.N. Resolutions on Iraq and for Congressional
Oversight. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
FLORIDA 13TH DISTRICT CONTESTED ELECTION
Committee on House Administration: The Committee authorized and directed the
Chairman to report to the full Committee that the Task Force has completed its
investigation related to the election of a Representative from the 13th
Congressional District of Florida to the House, and that the Chairman also
report to the Committee the Task Force's recommendation that the election
contest in the 13th District be dismissed.
Prior to this action, the Election Task Force held a briefing on the findings
in the Investigation into the FL-13 Congressional District Contested Election.
The Task Force was briefed by Nabajyoti Barkakati, Senior Level Technologist,
Center for Technology and Engineering Applied Research and Methods, GAO.
MILITARY BASE REALIGNMENT CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Organization, and Procurement held a hearing on Military Base
Realignment: Contracting Opportunities for Impacted Communities. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Timothy
Foreman, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization,
Secretary of the Navy; Tracey Pinson, Director, Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Secretary of the Army; Luwanda W. Jenkins,
Special Secretary, Governor's Office of Minority Affairs, State of Maryland;
and public witnesses.
[Page: D111]
FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE REVIEW
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing on
Government Accountability Office's Review of the Federal Protective Service:
Preliminary Findings. Testimony was heard from Mark Goldstein, Director,
Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO.
2008/02/11
Daily Digest - Monday, February 11, 2008; pages D117 - D120
Committee Meetings
No Committee meetings were held.
2008/02/12
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 12, 2008; pages D122 - D130
Committee Meetings
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Wildland Fire Management Oversight.
Testimony was heard from. Robin Nazzarro, Director, Natural Resources and
Environment, GAO; the following officials of the USDA: Kathleen Tighe, Deputy
Inspector General; and Mark E. Rey, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and
Environment; James Cason, Assistant Secretary, Policy and Budget, Department
of the Interior; and public witnesses.
WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION
Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor
and Pensions held a hearing on Protecting American Employees from Workplace
Discrimination. Testimony was heard from Representatives McCarthy of New York
and Souder; public witnesses.
KETEK CLINICAL STUDY FRAUD
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Ketek Clinical Study Fraud: What Sanofiaventis Knew."
Testimony was heard from Senator Grassley; the following Special Agents,
Office of Criminal Investigation, FDA, Department of Health and Human
Services: Robert West, and Douglas Loveland; Robert Eke, Assistant to the
Special Agent in Charge, Special Investigations Division, Office of Inspector
General, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses.
[Page: D127]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on House Administration: Ordered reported the following: H.R. 5159,
amended, Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008; and a privileged resolution
dismissing the election contest relating to the office of the Representative
from the 13th Congressional District of Florida ( Jenning K v. Buchanan K).
GROWTH HORMONE'S HEALTH IMPACTS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on Myths and
Facts about Human Growth Hormone, B-12, and Other Substances. Testimony was
heard from Susan Shurin, M.D., Deputy Director, National Heart, Lung and Blood
Institute, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT PAY FOR PERFORMANCE
Committee on Oversight and Investigations: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce,
Postal Service, and the District of Columbia held a hearing on Robbing Mary to
Pay Peter and Paul: the Administration's Pay for Performance System. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: J.
Russell George, Inspector General, Tax Administration, Department of the
Treasury; and Richard Spires, Deputy Commissioner, Operational Support, IRS;
Diego Ruiz, Executive Director, SEC; Ronald Sanders, Chief Human Capital
Officer, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and public
witnesses.
PUBLIC HOUSING ASSET MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing one
hour of general debate on H.R. 3521, Public Housing Asset Management
Improvement Act of 2007, 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 except clauses 9
and 10 of rule XXI. 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 waives all points of order against
the amendment in the nature of a substitute except for clause 10 of rule XXI.
The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee
report. The amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed
in this report, may be offered only by a Member designated in this report,
shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in this
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. All
points of order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI
are waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without
instructions. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the
previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to
a time designated by the Speaker. Finally, the rule tables H.Res. 955.
Testimony was heard from Chairman Frank and Representatives Sires, Jackson-Lee
of Texas, Meek of Florida and Capito.
TO EXTEND THE PROTECT AMERICA ACT OF 2007 FOR 21 DAYS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 7-4, a closed rule providing for
consideration of H.R. 5349, which extends the Protect America Act of 2007 for
21 days. The rule provides for 60 minutes of debate, with 40 minutes equally
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on the Judiciary and 20 minutes 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 except
those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the
bill shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against
provisions of the bill. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or
without instructions. Finally, the rule permits the Chair, during
consideration of the bill, to postpone further consideration of it to a time
designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman Conyers and
Representative Lungren.
2008/02/13
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 13, 2008; pages D131 - D142
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on USDA
Secretary. Testimony was heard from Edward Schafer, Secretary of Agriculture.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on DOD
Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Gordon England, Deputy Secretary; ADM Michael Mullen,
USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Tina Jonas, Under Secretary,
Comptroller.
The Subcommittee also had a hearing on United States Marine Corps Readiness.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
LTG James F. Amos, USMC, Deputy Commandant, Combat and Integration; and LTG
John G. Castellaw, USMC, Commandant, Aviation.
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing
on Management Challenges--Inspector General and GAO. Testimony was heard from
David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and Richard L. Skinner, Inspector
General, Department of Homeland Security.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on U.S. Forest Service. Testimony was heard
from Abigail R. Kimbell, Chief, Forest Service, USDA.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Implications of Economic
Trends for Workers, Families, and the Nation. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a hearing
on Architect of the Capitol. Testimony was heard from Stephen Ayers, Acting
Architect of the Capitol.
TRANSPORTATION, HUD, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and
Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request. Testimony was
heard from Alphonso R. Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
GLOBAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Global Security Assessment.
Testimony was heard from Thomas Fingar, Deputy Director, National Intelligence
for Analysis, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; Robert
Cardillo, Deputy Director, Analysis, Defense Intelligence Agency, Department
of Defense; and John A. Kringen, Director, Intelligence, CIA.
[Page: D137]
GLOBAL SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESSES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on
Readiness at Risk: Department of Defense Security Clearance Processes.
Testimony was heard from Greg Torres, Director, Security, Office of the Deputy
Under Secretary, Counterintelligence and Security, Department of Defense; Jack
Edwards, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management Team, GAO; Kathy
Dillaman, Associate Director, Federal Investigative Services Division, OPM;
and a public witness.
TREASURY BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2009
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Treasury Department Fiscal Year
2009 Budget.
Testimony was heard from Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury.
MODERN PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES INVESTMENT
Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on Modern Public School
Facilities: Investing in the Future. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Boustany, Castle, Chandler, Etheridge, Holt, Hooley, King of Iowa, and
Loebsack; Kathleen J. Moore, Director, School Facilities Planning Division,
Department of Education, State of California; Paul Vallas, Superintendent,
Recovery School District, New Orleans, Louisiana; and public witnesses.
DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTION PROJECTS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
approved for full Committee action H.R. 3754, To authorize the Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept, as part of a settlement,
diesel emission reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects, and for other
purposes.
Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 3754. Testimony
was heard from Representative Costa; and public witnesses.
DIESEL TELEVISION TRANSITION [I.E., DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION]
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet held a hearing entitled "Status of the DTV Transition: 370 Days and
Counting." Testimony was heard from Kevin J. Martin, Chairman, FCC; Meredith
Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary, Communications and Information, Department
of Commerce; and public witnesses.
COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT
Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled "The Community
Reinvestment Act: Thirty Years of Accomplishments, but Challenges Remain."
Testimony was heard from Sandra F. Braunstein, Director, Division of Consumer
and Community Affairs, Federal Reserve System; Sandra L. Thompson, Director,
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection, FDIC; the following officials
of the Department of the Treasury: Ann Jaedicke, Deputy Comptroller,
Compliance Policy, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; and Montrice
Godard Yakimov, Managing Director, Compliance and Consumer Protection, Office
of Thrift Supervision; Howard F. Pitkin, Commissioner, Department of Banking,
State of Connecticut; and public witnesses.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2009
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on International Relations Budget
for Fiscal Year 2009. Testimony was heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of
State.
HOMELAND SECURITY BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2009
Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled "The President's FY
2009 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security." Testimony was
heard from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security.
ICE INTERROGATION, DETENTION, REMOVAL ISSUES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship,
Refugees, Border Security and International Law held a hearing on Problems
with ICE Interrogation, Detention and Removal Procedures. Testimony was heard
from Gary Mead, Assistant Director, Detention and Removal, U. S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement. Department of Homeland Security; and public
witnesses.
The Subcommittee also considered a private immigration bill.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Ordered reported, as amended, the following
bills: H.R. 2176, To provide for and approve the settlement of certain land
claims of the Bay Mills Indian Community; H.R. 4115, To provide for and
approve the settlement of certain land claims of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of
Chippewa Indians; H.R. 1143, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to
lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park, and for other purposes;
H.R. 1311, Nevada Cancer Institute Expansion Act; H.R. 1922, Jupiter Inlet
Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area Act of 2007; H.R. 816, Orchard Detention
Basin Flood Control Act; and H. R 3473, Bountiful City Land Consolidation Act.
[Page: D138]
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1187, amended,
Gulf of Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary
Modification and Protection Act; H.R. 1907, amended, Coastal and Estuarine
Land Protection Act; H.R. 2342, amended, National Integrated Coastal and Ocean
Observation Act of 2007; H.R. 3352, amended, Hydrographic Services Improvement
Act Amendments of 2007; H.R. 3891, To amend the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Establishment Act to increase the number of Directors on the Board
of Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; and H.R. 4933,
Captive Wildlife Safety Technical Amendments Act of 2008.
MITCHELL REPORT: ILLEGAL USE OF STEROIDS IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Concluded hearings on The
Mitchell Report: The Illegal Use of Steroids in Major League Baseball, Day 2.
Testimony was heard from Roger Clemens, former Major League Baseball Player;
Brian McNamee, former Strength and Conditioning Coach, Major League Baseball;
and Charles Scheeler, a member of the staff of the Mitchell Commission.
FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Organization, and Procurement held a hearing on Surplus Property:
Improving Donation and Sales Programs. Testimony was heard from Rebecca
Rhodes, Deputy Associate Administrator, GSA; Estelle Sanders, Mayor, Roper,
North Carolina; and public witnesses.
RECOMMENDING THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FIND HARRIET MIERS AND JOSHUA
BOLTEN, CHIEF OF STAFF, WHITE HOUSE, IN CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS FOR REFUSAL TO
COMPLY WITH SUBPOENAS DULY ISSUED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY;
AUTHORIZING THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY TO INITIATE OR INTERVENE IN
JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS TO ENFORCE CERTAIN SUBPOENAS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a record vote of 9 to 4, a rule providing for
adoption of H. Res. 979 and H. Res. 980 upon adoption of the rule. H. Res. 979
recommends that the House of Representatives find Harriet Miers and Joshua
Bolten, Chief of Staff, White House, in contempt of Congress for refusal to
comply with subpoenas duly issued by the Committee on the Judiciary. H. Res.
980 authorizes the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in
judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas. Testimony was heard from
Chairman Conyers and Representative Smith of Texas.
SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF 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 rules reported from the
Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any rule reported on the
legislative day of Thursday, February 14, 2008, providing for consideration of
a bill addressing foreign intelligence surveillance.
The rule also permits consideration of motions to suspend the rules on the
legislative day of Thursday, February 14, 2008, related to a bill addressing
foreign intelligence surveillance.
NASA's FISCAL YEAR 2009 BUDGET
Committee on Science and Technology: Held a hearing on NASA's Fiscal Year 2009
Budget Request. Testimony was heard from Michael D. Griffin, Administrator,
NASA.
SBIR MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight,
hearing entitled "SBIR: Advancing Medical Breakthroughs." Testimony was heard
from Jo Anne Goodnight, SBIR/STTR Coordinator, NIH, Department of Health and
Human Services; and public witnesses.
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held a hearing on Reviewing
the Recommendations of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue
Study Commission. Testimony was heard from Mary Peters, Secretary of
Transportation; and public witnesses.
RUNWAY SAFETY
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held
a hearing on Runway Safety, Testimony was heard from Gerald Dillingham,
Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; Hank Krakowski, Chief,
Operating Officer, Air Traffic Organization, FAA, Department of
Transportation; and public witnesses.
[Page: D139]
EXPIRING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a
hearing on Review of Expiring Programs. Testimony was heard from Charles
Ciccolella, Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training, Department
of Labor; Scott Bloch, Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel; Keith
Pedigo, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Office of Policy and Program
Management, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA INSPECTOR GENERAL/IT BUDGET
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing on VA FY 2009 Budget--Office of the Inspector General and
Office of Information and Technology. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Jon A. Wooditch, Deputy
Inspector General; and Robert T. Howard, Assistant Secretary, Information and
Technology; and Valerie Melvin, Director, Information Technology, GAO.
BUDGET PROPOSALS FISCAL YEAR 2009--OMB/HHS
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Administration's budget
proposals for fiscal year 2009, OMB. Testimony was heard from James Nussle,
Director, OMB.
The Committee also held a hearing on the Administration's budget proposals
fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Health and Human Services. Testimony
was heard from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services.
BRIEFING--HOT SPOTS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Hot Spots. The Committee was briefed by departmental
witnesses.
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE HOT SPOTS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human
Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to
hold a hearing on Counterintelligence Hot Spots. Testimony was heard from
departmental witnesses.
2008/02/14
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 14, 2008; pages D143 - D152
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Natural
Resources Conservation Service. Testimony was heard from Mark E. Rey, Under
Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, USDA.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Army
Readiness. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of the Army, Department of Defense, LT GEN James D. Thurman, USA, Deputy Chief
of Staff, G3; LT GEN Stephen M. Speakes, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G8, and
LT GEN Michael D. Rochelle, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G1.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Waste Development, and
Related Agencies held an overview hearing on Vehicle Technology and Gas
Prices. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing
on Land Border Enforcement. Testimony was heard from the following officials
of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security: W.
Ralph Basham, Commissioner, Gregory Giddens, Executive Director, Secure Border
Initiative; David Aguilar, Chief, U.S. Border Patrol; Michael Kostelnik,
Assistant Commissioner, Air and Marine; Thomas Winkowski, Assistant
Commissioner, Office of Field Operations; and public witnesses.
LABOR, HHS, AND EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education, and Related Agencies held an overview hearing on Opportunities Lost
and Costs to Society: the Social and Economic Burden of Disease, Injuries, and
Disability. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MILITARY READINESS AND STRATEGIC POSTURE
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Implications for Our Strategic
Posture. Testimony was heard from Sharon Pickup, Director, Defense Resources
and Business Transformation Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
[Page: D150]
PROVINCIAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAMS REFORM
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held
a hearing on Provincial Reconstruction Teams: A Case for Interagency National
Security Reform? Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Ryan Henry, Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Policy;
and Barry Pavel, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Special Operations and
Low Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities; and the following
officials of the Department of State: Stephen D. Mull, Acting Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs; and Michael E. Hess,
Assistant Administrator, Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance
Bureau, U.S. Agency for International Development.
BOND INSURANCE INDUSTRY
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance
and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing on the State of the Bond
Insurance Industry. Testimony was heard from Eric R. Sirri, Director, Division
of Trading and Markets, SEC; Patrick M. Parkinson, Deputy Director, Division
of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; the
following officials of the State of New York: Eliot Spitzer, Governor; and
Eric R. Dinallo, Superintendent, Insurance Department; Thomas M. Leighton,
Mayor, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; and public witnesses.
U.S. DEBT RECYCLING ASSISTANCE TO CAMBODIA
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia, The Pacific and the Global
Environment held a hearing on an Overview of Cambodia and the Need for Debt
Recycling: How can the U.S. be of Assistance? Testimony was heard from Scot
Marciel, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs,
Department of State; and W. Kirk Miller, Associate Administrator/General Sales
Manager, Foreign Agriculture Service, USDA.
HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYSIS
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled "Homeland
Security Intelligence at a Crossroads: the Office of Intelligence and
Analysis' Vision for 2008." Testimony was heard from Charles E. Allen, Under
Secretary, Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security.
STATE VIDEO TAX FAIRNESS ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held a hearing on H.R. 3679, State Video Tax Fairness Act of 2007. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and
Civil Liberties held an oversight hearing on the Justice Department's Office
of Legal Counsel. Testimony was heard from Steven G. Bradbury, Principal
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, Department of
Justice.
UNIQUE INDUSTRIES PROTECTIONS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held a hearing on Design Law--Are Special Provisions
Needed to Protect Unique Industries? Testimony was heard from Representative
Delahunt; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--INTERIOR DEPARTMENT BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2009
Committee on Natural Resources: Held an oversight hearing on the President's
Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request for the Department of the Interior. Testimony
was heard from Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior.
MEDICAID'S SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Domestic Policy
held a hearing on One year later: Medicaid's Response to Systemic Problems
Revealed by the death of Deamonte Driver. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
FEDERAL IT SECURITY
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Information
Policy, Census and National Archives and the Subcommittee on Government
Management, Organization and Procurement held a joint hearing on Federal IT
Security: A Review of H.R. 4791, Federal Agency Data Protection Act. Testimony
was heard from Karen S. Evans, Administrator, OMB; Gregory C. Wilshusen,
Director, GAO; and public witnesses.
DEFEATING AL QAEDA
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National
Security and Foreign Affairs continued hearings on Six Years Later (Part III):
Innovative Approaches to Defeating Al Qaeda. Testimony was heard from COL
Michael J. Meese, USA, Professor and Head of the Social Sciences Department,
U.S. Military Academy, West Point; and public witnesses.
[Page: D151]
SCIENCE EDUCATION/RESEARCH BUDGET
Committee on Science and Technology: Held a hearing on Funding for the America
COMPETES Act in the Fiscal Year 2009 Administration Budget Request. Testimony
was heard from James H. Marburger, III, Director, Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
BUSINESS ACTIVITY TAXES
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "Business Activity Taxes
and their Impact on Small Businesses," Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
EPA BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on Revitalization of the
Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Program. Testimony was heard
from Susan Parker Bodine, Assistant Administrator, Solid Waste and Emergency
Response, EPA; and public witnesses.
VA'S CLAIMS PROCESSING SYSTEM
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs held a hearing on Examining the VA's Claims Processing
System. Testimony was heard from Daniel Bertoni, Director, Education,
Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; the following officials of the
Department of Veterans Affairs: Michael Walcoff, Deputy Under Secretary,
Benefits; Diana Rubens, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Field Operations;
and Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service, both with
the Veterans Benefits Administration; representatives of veterans
organizations; and public witnesses.
TRADE PREFERENCE EXTENSION ACT OF 2008; COMMITTEE'S VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported H.R. 5264, Trade Preference
Extension Act of 2008.
The Committee also approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal
Year 2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
MEDICARE BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2009
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the
Medicare portions of the President's fiscal year 2009 budget. Testimony was
heard from Kerry Weems, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services.
BRIEFING--OVERHEAD
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Overhead. The Committee was briefed by departmental
witnesses.
FIRE AND RAIN--HOW TROPICAL FORESTS' DESTRUCTION IS FUELING CLIMATE CHANGE
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing
entitled "Fire and Rain: How the Destruction of Tropical Forests is Fueling
Climate Change." Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
2008/02/15
Daily Digest - Friday, February 15, 2008; pages D153 - D154
Committee Meetings
ARMY'S WOUNDED SERVICE MEMBER SERVICES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing
on the status of the implementation of the Army's medical action plan and
other services' support for wounded service members. Testimony was heard from
LTG Eric Schoomaker, M.D., USA, Surgeon General, and BG Michael Tucker, USA,
Assistant Surgeon General, Warrior Care and Transition, both with the U.S.
Army; VADM Adam Robinson, M.D., USN, Surgeon General, U.S. Navy; and LTG James
Roudebush, M.D., USAF, Surgeon General, U.S. Air Force.
[Page: D154]
2008/02/19
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 19, 2008; pages D155 - D156
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
[Page: D156]
2008/02/21
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 21, 2008; pages D157 - D158
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
[Page: D158]
2008/02/22
Daily Digest - Friday, February 22, 2008; pages D159 - D160
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
[Page: D160]
2008/02/25
Daily Digest - Monday, February 25, 2008; pages D161 - D172
Committee Meetings
RAILROAD ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2007
Committee on the Judiciary: Task Force on Antitrust and Competition Policy
held a hearing on H.R. 1650, Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007.
Testimony was heard from Representative Baldwin; and public witnesses.
2008/02/26
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 26, 2008; pages D174 - D184
Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Office of Science and Technology Policy and
on International Trade Commission. Testimony was heard from John H. Marburger,
III, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Daniel R. Pearson,
Chairman, U.S. International Trade Commission.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session
to hold a hearing on Missile Defense Agency. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Defense: LT Gen Henry A. (Trey)
Obering, III, USAF, Director, Missile Defense Agency; and LT Gen Kevin T.
Campbell, USA, Commanding General, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense
Command, U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command and Joint Functional Component
Command for Integrated Missile Defense; and Paul Francis, Director,
Acquisition and Sourcing Management GAO.
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing
on Immigration Enforcement Issues, including Comprehensive Identification and
Removal of Criminal Aliens and Students and Exchange Visitor Program fee
increases-Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Testimony was heard from Julie
Myers, Assistant Secretary, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of
Homeland Security, and a public witness.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Environmental Protection Agency. Testimony
was heard from Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, EPA.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Secretary of Education.
Testimony was heard from Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education.
The Subcommittee also held an overview hearing on Opportunities Lost and Costs
to Society: The Social and Economic Burden of Inadequate Education, Training
and Workforce Development. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans'
Affairs and Related Agencies held a hearing on American Battle Commission,
Arlington National Cemetery and United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home
National Cemetery, Armed Forces Retirement Income, and on United States Court
of Appeals for Veterans' Claims. Testimony was heard from Brig Gen John W.
Nicholson, USA, (Retired), Secretary and Brig Gen. William J. Leszczynski, Jr.
USA, (Retired) Executive Director, both with the American Battle Monuments
Commission; John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Civil Works,
Department of the Army; Timothy Cox, Chief Operating Officer, Armed Forces
Retirement Home; and Chief Judge William Green, United States Court of Appeals
for Veteran's Claims.
STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and
Related Programs held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget-Millennium
Challenge Account. Testimony was heard from John Danilovich, CEO, Millennium
Challenge Corporation.
TRANSPORTATION, HUD APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Federal Railroad
Administration and National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK). Testimony
was heard from Alexander Kummant, President and CEO, AMTRAK; and Joseph
Boardman, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, both with the
Department of Transportation.
[Page: D178]
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET--RECRUITING-RETENTION
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing
on the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Budget Request on
Overview of Recruiting, Retention and Compensation. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of Defense: David S. C. Chu, Under
Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; LTG Michael D. Rochelle, USA, Deputy Chief
of Staff, G-1, Headquarters, U.S. Army; VADM John C. Harvey, Jr., USN, Chief
of Naval Personnel, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy;
LTG Richard Y. Newton, III, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel,
and Services, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; and LTG Ronald S. Coleman, USMC,
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine
Corps.
IRREGULAR WARFARE AND STABILITY OPERATIONS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and
the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a
joint hearing on Irregular Warfare and Stability Operations: Approaches to
Interagency Integration. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of Defense: Michael G. Vickers, Assistant Secretary, Special
Operations/Low Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities; RADM Dan W.
Davenport, USN, Director, Join Concept Development and Experimentation (J-9),
U.S. Joint Forces Command; BG Robert H. Holmes, USAF, Deputy Director,
Operations, U.S. Central Command; LTG Frank Kearney, USA, Deputy Commander,
U.S. Special Operations Command; and COL Joseph E. Osborne, USA, Director,
Irregular Warfare Directorate (J-10), U.S. Special Operations Command; and
Ambassador John E. Herbst, Coordinator, Reconstruction and Stabilization,
Department of State.
PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007
Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor
and Pensions held a hearing on H.R. 2703, Private Security Officer Employment
Authorization Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Frank Campbell, Senior
Counsel, Office of Legal Policy, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
COVERING UNINSURED CHILDREN
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing
entitled "Covering Uninsured Kids: Reversing Progress Already Made." Testimony
was heard from the following Governors: Deval L. Patrick, Massachusetts; Chris
Gregoire, Washington; Ted Strickland, Ohio; Harley Barbour, Mississippi; and
Sonny Perdue, Georgia.
PRIVATE SECTOR FOOD SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITY
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
held a hearing entitled "Contaminated Food: Private Sector Accountability."
Testimony was heard from 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 public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
BRIEFING--IRAQI REFUGEES
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations,
Human Rights and Oversight and the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia
held a joint briefing on Iraqi Refugees: Can the U.S. Do More to Help? The
Subcommittee was briefed L. Craig Johnstone, Deputy High Commissioner, United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and Rafiq Tschannen, Chief of Mission
for Iraq and Jordan, International Organization for Migration (IOM).
CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2008
Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing on the Chemical Facility
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008, Testimony was heard from Robert B. Stephen.
Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.
HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information
Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled "Homeland
Security Intelligence at a Crossroads: the Office of Intelligence and
Analysis' Vision for 2008." Testimony was heard from Charles E. Allen, Under
Secretary, Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security.
[Page: D179]
OVERSIGHT--JUSTICE'S SPECIAL COUNSEL REGULATIONS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the U.S. Department of
Justice's Special Counsel Regulations. Testimony was heard from Patrick J.
Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Illinois, Department of
Justice; and public witnesses.
ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENA; VOTER SUPPRESSION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights,
and Civil Liberties adopted a resolution authorizing the Chairman of the
Committee to issue a subpoena to J. Kenneth Blackwell for testimony and
related documents at a hearing before the Subcommittee regarding voter
suppression.
The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on Voter Suppression.
Testimony was heard from Asheesh Agarwal, Deputy Assistant Attorney General,
Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; Tom Emmer, Deputy Minority
Leader, House of Representatives, State of Minnesota; and public witnesses.
COCAINE SENTENCING FAIRNESS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland
Security held a hearing on Cracked Justice--Addressing the Unfairness in
Cocaine Sentencing. Testimony was heard from Representatives Rangel,
Jackson-Lee of Texas; and Bartlett of Maryland; Reggie B. Walton, Judge, U.S.
District Court, District of Columbia; Ricardo H. Hinojosa, Chair, U.S.
Sentencing Commission; Gretchen Shappert, U.S. Attorney, Western District of
North Carolina; and public witnesses.
PRIVATE RELIEF MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship,
Refugees, Border Security, and International Law met to request Department of
Homeland Security Departmental Reports on the beneficiaries of certain private
immigration relief measures.
NOAA/FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUDGET
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans
held an oversight hearing entitled "The fiscal year 2009 budget request for
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)". Testimony was heard from Mary
Glackin, Deputy Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of
Commerce; and Kenneth Stansell, Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior.
WILD MONONGAHELA ACT
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and
Public Lands held a hearing on H.R. 5151, Wild Monongahela Act: "A National
Legacy for West Virginia's Special Places." Testimony was heard from Joel
Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; John
Manchester, Mayor, Lewisburg, West Virginia; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--WATER AND POWER AGENCIES BUDGET
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an
oversight hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Requests for the Bureau of
Reclamation, the Water Resources Division of the United States Geological
Survey, and the Federal Power Marketing Administrations. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Robert
Johnson, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation; and Robert Hirsch, Associate
Director, Water, Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey; the
following officials of the Power Administrations, Department of Energy:
Stephen J. Wright, Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration; Timothy J.
Meeks, Chief Operating Officer, Western Area Power Administration; Leon
Jourolmon, Acting Administrator, Southeastern Power Administration; and Jon
Worthington, Acting Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration.
ELECTRONIC RECORDS PRESERVATION BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; MISCELLANEOUS
MEASURES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on Electronic
Records Preservation at the White House. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Office of Administration, The White House: Alan R.
Swendiman, Director; and Theresa Payton, Chief Information Officer; and the
following officials of the National Archives and Records Administration: Allen
Weinstein, Archivist; Gary M. Stern, General Counsel; and Sharon Fawcett,
Assistant Archivist for Presidential Libraries.
The Committee approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year
2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
The Committee ordered reported the following measures: H. Con. Res. 286,
Expressing the sense of Congress that Earl Lloyd should be recognized and
honored for breaking the color barrier and becoming the first African American
to play in the National Basketball Association League 58 years ago; H. Con.
Res. 292, Honoring Margaret Truman Daniel and her lifetime of accomplishments;
H. Res. 537, amended, Expressing support for the designation and goals of
National 9-1-1 Educational Month, and for other purposes; H.R. 3196, To
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20
Sussex Street in Port Jervis, New York, as the "E. Arthur Gray Post Office
Building;" H.R. 4166, To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 701 East Copeland Drive in Lebanon, Missouri, as the "Steve
W. Allee Carrier Annex;" H.R. 4774, amended, To designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 10250 John Saunders Road in San
Antonio, Texas, as the "Cyndi Taylor Krier Post Office Building;" H.R. 5168,
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19101
Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville, Florida, as the "Cody Crater Post Office
Building;" H.R. 5220, To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 3800 SW. 185th Avenue in Beaverton, Oregon, as the "Major
Arthur Chin Post Office Building;" and H.R. 5400, to designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 160 East Washington Street in
Chagrin Falls, Ohio, as the "Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush Post Office Building."
[Page: D180]
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION TAX ACT OF 2008
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a structured rule providing for
consideration of H.R. 5351, the "Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax
Act of 2008." The rule provides 90 minutes of debate 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 except
those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the
bill shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against
provisions of the bill. This waiver does not affect the point of order
available under clause 9 of rule XXI (regarding earmark disclosure).
The rule makes in order an amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in
the Congressional Record if offered by Rep. McCrery or his designee. The rule
waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute
except those arising under clause 7 of rule XVI or clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.
The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be
considered as read and separately debatable for one hour equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent.
The rule provides one motion to recommit the bill with or without
instructions. Notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the
Chair may postpone further consideration until a time designated by the
Speaker. Finally, the rule provides that H. Res. 983 shall be laid on the
table. Testimony was heard from Representatives Schwartz, English of
Pennsylvania, Brady of Texas and Bilbray.
NOAA BUDGET/AVIATION WEATHER SERVICE REPORT
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment
held a hearing on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fiscal
Year 2009 Budget Proposal and GAO's Report on the Aviation Weather Service.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Commerce: Conrad C. Lautenbacker, Jr., Under Secretary; and John L. Hayes,
Assistant Administrator, Weather Services and Director, National Weather
Service, both with NOAA; David Powner, Director, Information Technology
Management Issues, GAO; and Eugene Juba, Vice President, Finance, Air Traffic
Organization, FAA, Department of Transportation.
OVERSIGHT--NSF
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Research and Science
Education held an oversight hearing on the NSF. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the NSF: Arden Bement, Director, and Steven Beering,
Chairman.
STATE'S SMALL BUSINESS HEALTHCARE STRATEGIES
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled "State Strategies to
Expand Health Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses." Testimony was heard
from Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota; and Edward G. Rendell, Governor of
Pennsylvania.
SIMPLIFYING FEDERAL PAPERWORK LANGUAGE
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology held a
hearing entitled "Plain Language in Paperwork--The Benefits to Small
Business." Testimony was heard from Christopher Cox, Chairman, SEC; and public
witnesses.
COAST GUARD/MARITIME TRANSPORTATION BUDGET
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget: Coast
Guard, Federal Maritime Commission and Maritime Administration. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of
Homeland Security: VADM Robert J. Papp, Jr., USCG, Chief of Staff; and Master
Chief Charles W. Bowen, USCG, Master Chief Petty Officer; and Sean
Connaughton, Administrator, Maritime Administration, Department of
Transportation.
[Page: D181]
VA DISABILITIES RATING REVISION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs held a hearing on Revising the VA Schedule of Rating
Disabilities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Veterans Affairs: Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation and
Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration; and the following officials
of the Veterans Health Administration; Steven H. Brown, M.D., Director,
Compensation and Pension Exam Program; Patrick Joyce, M.D., Chief Occupational
Health Clinic; and Richard Hipolit, Assistant General Counsel; Joseph Kelley,
M.D. Deputy Assistant Secretary, Clinical and Program Policy (Health Affairs),
Department of Defense; representatives of veterans organizations; and public
witnesses.
BRIEFING--CYBER INITIATIVE
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Cyber Initiative. The Committee was briefed by Mick
McConnnell, Director, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and
Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: SUSTAINABILITY FROM COUNTER TO COMPOST
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing
entitled "Food for Thought: Sustainability from Counter to Compost." Testimony
was heard from Pat Miller, Research Microbiologist in the Sustainable
Agricultural Systems Laboratory and Environmental Microbial Systems
Laboratory, USDA; Dan Beard, Chief Administration Officer, House of
Representatives; and public witnesses.
2008/02/27
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 27, 2008; pages D185 - D194
Committee Meetings
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Agriculture: Approved Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year
2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Drug
Safety. Testimony was heard from Janet Woodcock, M.D., Deputy Commissioner,
Scientific and Medical Programs, Chief Medical Officer and Acting Director,
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Department of Agriculture; and public
witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on National Science Board/National Science
Foundation. Testimony was heard from Arden L. Bement, Jr., Director, National
Science Foundation.
[Page: D189]
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on
Shipbuilding. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: Vice ADM Barry McCullough, USN, Deputy Chief, Naval
Operations, Integration of Capabilities and Resources (N8); and Allison
Stiller, Assistant Secretary, (Research, Development and Acquisition).
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Bureau of Reclamation Commission. Testimony
was heard from Robert W. Johnson, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation,
Department of the Interior.
FINANCIAL SERVICES, GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General
Government held a hearing on the Election Administration. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the Election Assistance Commission: Rosemary
Rodriguez, Chair; Caroline Hunter, Vice-Chair; Donetta L. Davidson; and Gracia
Hillman, both Commissioners; and public witnesses.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related
Agencies held a hearing on Bureau of Land Management. Testimony was heard from
Henry Bisson, Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the
Interior.
LABOR, HHS AND EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on 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.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans
Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Office of Inspector General.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Veterans' Affairs: John Daigh, Jr., M.D., Assistant Inspector General,
Healthcare Inspections; James J. O'Neill, Assistant Inspector General,
Investigations; Belinda Finn, Assistant Inspector General, Audits; and Maureen
Regan, Counsel to the Inspector General.
STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget, U.S. Agency for
International Development. Testimony was heard from Henrietta Fore,
Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development, and Director, United
States Foreign Assistance, Department of State.
AIR FORCE BUDGET
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request from 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, U.S. Air Force.
MARINE CORPS BUDGET
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces
held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Budget
Request overview for the United States Marine Corps. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the U.S. Marine Corps: LTG James F. Amos, USMC,
Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration; LTG John G. Castellaw,
USMC, Deputy Commandant, Programs and Resources; and BG Michael M. Brogan,
USMC, Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command.
DEFENSE STRATEGIC PROGRAMS BUDGET
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
on U.S. Strategic Posture/Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request for Strategic
Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of Defense: GEN Kevin P. Chilton, USAF, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command; and
Michael Vickers, Assistant Secretary, Special Operations/Low Intensity
Conflict/Interdependent Capabilities, Office of the Secretary, Policy; and
Thomas D'Agostino, Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration,
Department of Energy.
DOD BUDGET; HHS BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Department of Defense Fiscal Year
2009 Budget. Testimony was heard from Gordon R. England, Deputy Secretary of
Defense.
The Committee also held a hearing on Department of Health and Human Services
Fiscal Year 2009 Budget. Testimony was heard from Michael O. Leavitt,
Secretary of Health and Human Services.
[Page: D190]
DRUGS IN SPORTS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled "Drugs in Sports: Compromising the
Health of Athletes and Undermining the Integrity of Competition." Testimony
was heard from representatives of various professional sports organizations,
player associations, and public witnesses.
WIRELESS/BROADBAND CONSUMER PROTECTION
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the
Internet held a hearing on Wireless Consumer Protection and Community
Broadband Empowerment. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MONETARY POLICY AND THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY
Committee on Financial Services: Concluded hearings 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 on Foreign Affairs: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 5501,
Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde, United States Global Leadership Against
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008; and, as
amended, H.R. 1084, Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act
of 2007.
The Committee favorably considered the following resolutions and adopted a
motion urging the Chairman to request that they be considered on the
Suspension Calendar: H. Res. 185, Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives regarding the creation of refugee populations in the Middle
East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf region as a result of human rights
violations; H. Res. 854, Expressing the gratitude to all member states of the
International Commission of the International Tracing Service (ITS) on
ratifying the May 2006 Agreement to amend the 1955 Bonn Accords granting open
access to vast Holocaust and other World War II related archives located in
Bad Arolsen, Germany; H. Res. 865, Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the March 2007 report of the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
makes an important contribution to the understanding of the high levels of
crime and violence in the Caribbean, and that the United States should work
with Caribbean countries to address crime and violence in the region; H. Res.
951, Condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians,
and for other purposes; H. Con. Res. 154, Expressing the sense of Congress
that the fatal radiation poisoning of Russian dissident and writer Alexandria
Litvinenko raises significant concerns about the potential involvement of
elements of the Russian Government in Mr. Litvinenko's death and about the
security and proliferation of radioactive materials; H. Con. Res. 255,
Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States commitment to
preservation of religious and cultural sites and condemning instances where
sites are desecrated; H. Con. Res. 278, Supporting Taiwan's fourth direct and
democratic presidential elections in March 2008; and H. Con. Res. 290,
Commemorating the 175th anniversary of the special relationship between the
United States and the Kingdom of Thailand.
MULTIDRUG RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a
hearing on Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis: Assessing the U.S. Response to an
Emerging Global Threat. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the Department of State: Mark R. Dybul, Coordinator, Office of the U.S. Global
AIDS Coordinator; and Kent R. Hill, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Global
Health, U.S. Agency for International Development; and Julie L. Gerberding,
M.D., Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of
Health and Human Services.
The Subcommittee also had a briefing on this subject. The Subcommittee was
briefed by Mario Raviglione, M.D., Director, Stop TB Department, World Health
Organization.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND VULNERABLE SOCIETIES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the
Global Environment held a hearing on Climate Change and Vulnerable Societies:
A Post-Bali Overview. Testimony was heard from Harlan Watson, Special
Representative and Senior Climate Negotiator, Bureau of Oceans and
International Environment and Scientific Affairs, Department of State.
The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. The Subcommittee was
briefed by public witnesses.
BORDER SECURITY TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global
Counterterrorism and the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and
Oversight held a joint hearing entitled "Project 28: Lessons Learned and the
Future of SBInet." Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security: Jayson P.
Ahern, Deputy Commissioner; David V. Aguilar, Chief, U.S. Border Patrol; and
Gregory Giddens, Executive Director, Secure Border Initiative; Richard Stana,
Director, Homeland Security and Justice, GAO; and a public witness.
[Page: D191]
OVERSIGHT--PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property held an oversight hearing on the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office. Testimony was heard from Jon W. Dudas, Under Secretary,
Intellectual Property, Director, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Department
of Commerce; Robin M. Nazzaro, Director, National Resources and Environment,
GAO; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--TRIBAL LAND TRUSTS
Committee on Natural Resources: Held an oversight hearing on the Department of
Interior's recently released guidance on taking land into trust for Indian
Tribes and its ramifications. Testimony was heard from Carl Artman, Assistant
Secretary, Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--BUDGET PARK SERVICE, FOREST SERVICE AND BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and
Public Lands held an oversight hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Requests
for the National Park Service, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department
of the Interior: Mary Bomar, Director, National Park Service; and Henri
Bisson, Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management; and Gail Kimbell Chief,
Forest Service, USDA.
FEDERAL CONTRACTING REFORM
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government
Management, Organization and Procurement held a hearing on Contracting Reform:
Expert Recommendations and pending measures. Testimony was heard from Paul A.
Denett, Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, OMB; John Hutton,
Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO; and public witnesses.
WALTER REED INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National
Security and Foreign Affairs held a hearing on One Year After Walter Reed: An
Independent Assessment of the Care, Support, and Disability Evaluation for
Wounded Soldiers. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GAO:
John Pendleton, Acting Director, Health Care; and Daniel Bertoni, Director,
Education, Workforce, and Income Security; and the following officials of the
Department of Defense: LTG Eric Schoomaker, M.D., USA, Surgeon
General/Commander U.S. Army Medical Command; and Michael L. Dominguez,
Principal Deputy Under Secretary (Personnel and Readiness); and Patrick W.
Dunne, Assistant Secretary, Policy and Planning, Department of Veterans
Affairs.
HOUSE OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS
Committee on Rules: Heard testimony from Representatives Capuano, Murphy of
Connecticut, Space, Smith of Texas, Boehner, Shays and Kirk, but action was
deferred on H. Res. 895, Establishing within the House of Representatives an
Office of Congressional Ethics, and for other purposes.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science and Technology: Ordered reported, as amended, the
following bills: H.R. 3916, To provide for the next generation of border and
maritime security technologies; H.R. 4847, U.S. Fire Administration
Reauthorization Act of 2008; and H.R. 5161, Green Transportation
Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Small Business: Approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for
Fiscal Year 2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
VA CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on VA
Construction Authorization. Testimony was heard from Donald Orndoff, Director,
Office of Construction and Facilities Management, Department of Veterans
Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations.
CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Income Security and Family
Support held a hearing on Improving the Child Welfare System. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Davis of Illinois; Fattah and Bachmann; Ken
Deibert, Deputy Director, Department of Economic Security--Children, Youth and
Family Services, State of Arizona; Jim Purcell, Executive Director, Council of
Family and Child Caring Agencies, New York City; and public witnesses.
[Page: D192]
SECURITY CLEARANCES
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Intelligence
Community Management held a hearing on Security Clearances. Testimony was
heard from Kathy Dillaman, Associate Director, Investigations, OPM; Clay
Johnson, Deputy Director, OMB; Eric Boswell, Assistant Deputy Director,
Security, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and Brenda Farrell,
Director, Military and Civilian Personnel and Healthcare, Defense Capabilities
and Management, GAO.
BRIEFING--HOT SPOTS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human
Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Hot Spots. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental
witnesses.
2008/02/28
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 28, 2008; pages D196 - D204
Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Inspector
General. Testimony was heard from Phyllis K. Fong, Inspector General, USDA.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Defense
Health Program. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: S. Ward Casscells, Under Secretary, Health Affairs; LTG
Eric Schoomaker, M.D., USA, Surgeon General/Commander, U.S. Army Medical
Command; VADM Adam M. Robinson, Jr., USN, Chief of the Navy Medical Corps and
LTG James Roudebush, M.D., USAF, Surgeon General of the Air Force.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on National Guard and Reserve issues.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
LTG Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard; LTG Clyde Vaughn, USA, Vice
Chief, Army National Guard; LTG Craig McKinley, USAF, Vice Chief, Air National
Guard; LTG Jack Stultz, USA, Chief, Army Reserve; VADM John Cotton, USN,
Chief, Navy Reserve; LTG John Bergman, USMC, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve;
and LTG John Bradley, USAF, Chief, Air Force Reserve.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Energy. Testimony was heard
from Samuel Bodman, Secretary of Energy.
FINANCIAL SERVICES, GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General
Government held a hearing on Consumer Protection in Financial Services.
Testimony was heard from Donna Gambrell, Director, Community Development
Financial Institutions Fund, Department of the Treasury; and Lydia Parnes,
Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC.
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing
on Improving the Efficiency of the Aviation Security System-TSA, GAO, American
Airlines, and Washington Metropolitan Airport Authority. Testimony was heard
from Kip Hawley, Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration
Administrator, Department of Homeland Security; Cathleen Berrick, Director,
Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies held a hearing on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S.
Geological Survey. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Interior: Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service; and Mark D. Myers, Director, U.S. Geological Survey.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Reducing the Disability
Backlog at the Social Security Administration/Fiscal Year 2009 Budget
Overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the SSA: Michael
Astrue, Commissioner; and Patrick O'Carroll, Inspector General, Office of the
Inspector General; and public witnesses.
STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and
Related Programs held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget-State Operations,
Embassy Bagdad. Testimony was heard from Patrick F. Kennedy, Under Secretary,
Management, Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
TRANSPORTATION, HUD APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Housing Needs of Special
Populations (Elderly; Disabled; Homeless; HOPWA). Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department Housing and Urban Development: Mark
Johnston, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Special Need Assistance Programs; and
John Garvin, Advisor, Housing Programs.
[Page: D201]
ARMY BUDGET
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 National
Defense Authorization Budget Request from the Department of the Army.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the
Army: Pete Geren, Secretary; and GEN George W. Casey, Jr., USA, Chief of
Staff.
MILITARY BUDGET
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on the
Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Budget Request on military
construction. Testimony was heard from the Department of Defense: Wayne Arny,
Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and Environment; Geoffrey G. Prosch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations and Environment, Army;
B.J. Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Installations and Environment; and
William C. Anderson, Assistant Secretary, Air Force, Installations,
Environment and Logistics.
MEMBERS' DAY
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Members' Day. Testimony was heard
from Representatives Murphy of California, Castor, Giffords, Poe, Loebsack,
McCarthy of New York; Altmire, Braley, Ehlers, Shea-Porter, Hold Sutton, Davis
of Illinois, Courtney; Hirono, Rodriguez, Honda; Welch of Vermont; Filner,
Carney, Lewis of Georgia, Klein of Florida, Higgins, Kagen, Larsen of
Washington, Christensen, Waltz of Minnesota, Wolf, and Fossella.
HHS BUDGET
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled "A Review of the
Department of Health and Human Services Fiscal Year 2009 Budget." Testimony
was heard from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services.
BAN ASBESTOS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous
Materials held a hearing on S. 742, Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007 and on
other proposals to Ban Asbestos in Products. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of EPA: James B. Gulliford, Assistant Administrator,
Office for Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances; and Aubrey Miller,
Senior Medical Officer and Toxicologist; and Christopher Weis, Senior
Toxicologist, Region 8; Gregory P. Meeker, Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey,
Department of the Interior; public witnesses.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Financial Services: Approved, as amended, Committee Budget Views
and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2009 for submission to the Committee on the
Budget.
U.N. MANDATES AND FORCE AGREEMENTS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations,
Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on Status of Forces in Agreements
and U.N. Mandates: What Authorities and Protections Do They Provide to U.S.
Personnel? Testimony was heard from following officials of the CRS, Library of
Congress: Jennifer K. Elsea, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division; and
R. Chuck Mason, Legislative Attorney; and public witnesses.
CYBER INITIATIVE
Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled "The Cyber
Initiative." Testimony was heard from Karen Evans, Administrator, Electronic
Government and Information Technology, OMB; and following officials of the
National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security:
Robert Jamison, Under Secretary; and Scott Charbo, Deputy Under Secretary.
ENERGY/MINERAL RESOURCES BUDGET
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
held an oversight hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2009 Budget for the
Minerals Management |
