109th Congress (2005 - 2006)
January 4 - December 22, 2005
Senate 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.
2005/01/04
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 4, 2005; pages D1 - D10
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/01/06
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 6, 2005; pages D12 - D16
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
NOMINATION
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee ordered favorably
reported the nomination of Mike Johanns, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of
Agriculture.
Prior to this action, committee concluded hearings on the nomination of Mr.
Johanns, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Hagel and Nelson
(NE), testified and answered questions in his own behalf.
[Page: D13]
TSUNAMI RELIEF EFFORTS/IRAQ
Committee on Armed Services: On Wednesday, January 5, Committee met in closed
session to receive a briefing on U.S. Government tsunami relief efforts in the
Indian Ocean region, on the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, and on other
significant military issues around the world from Peter W. Rodman, Assistant
Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs; Admiral Thomas B.
Fargo, USN, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; Lieutenant General James T.
Conway, USMC, Director for Operations, J3, and Major General Ronald L.
Burgess, Jr., USA, Director for Intelligence, J2, both of The Joint Staff;
Evans J. R. Revere, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and
Pacific Affairs; and Ronald L. Schlicher, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
for Iraq.
NOMINATION
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered
favorably reported the nomination of Carlos M. Gutierrez, of Michigan, to be
Secretary of Commerce.
Prior to this action, on Wednesday, January 5, Committee concluded a hearing
on the nomination of Mr. Gutierrez, after the nominee, who was introduced by
Senators Levin and Stabenow, testified and answered questions in his own
behalf.
NOMINATION
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered
favorably reported the nomination of Margaret Spellings, of Texas, to be
Secretary of Education.
Prior to this action, committee concluded hearings on the nomination of Ms.
Spellings, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Cornyn, testified
and answered questions in her own behalf.
NOMINATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nomination of Alberto R. Gonzales, of Texas, to be Attorney General of the
United States, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Cornyn and
Salazar, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. Testimony was
also received from Admiral John D. Hutson, USN (Ret.), Franklin Pierce Law
Center, Concord, New Hampshire; Harold Hongju Koh, Yale Law School, New Haven,
Connecticut; and Douglas A. Johnson, Center of Victims of Torture,
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/01/20
Daily Digest - Thursday, January 20, 2005; pages D18 - D22
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
NOMINATION
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: On Wednesday, January 19, Committee
concluded a hearing on the nomination of Samuel W. Bodman, of Massachusetts,
to be Secretary of Energy, after the nominee testified and answered questions
in his own behalf.
NOMINATION
Committee on Finance: On Wednesday, January 19, Committee concluded a hearing
on the nomination of Michael O. Leavitt, of Utah, to be Secretary of Health
and Human Services, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his
own behalf.
NOMINATION
Committee on Foreign Relations: On Wednesday, January 19, committee concluded
hearings and ordered favorably reported the nomination of Condoleezza Rice, of
California, to be Secretary of State.
On Tuesday, January 18, Committee began hearings on the nomination of
Condoleezza Rice, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Feinstein,
testified and answered questions in her own behalf.
NOMINATION
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: On Tuesday, January 18,
Committee concluded a hearing on the nomination of Michael O. Leavitt, of
Utah, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, after the nominee
testified and answered questions in his own behalf.
ASBESTOS CLAIMS RESOLUTION
Committee on the Judiciary: On Tuesday, January 11, Committee concluded a
hearing to examine proposed legislation to create a fair and efficient system
to resolve claims of victims for bodily injury caused by asbestos exposure,
after receiving testimony from Judge Edward Becker, Third Circuit Court of
Appeals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; John Engler, National Association of
Manufacturers, Margaret Seminario, Department of Occupational Safety and
Health, AFL-CIO, Craig Berrington, American Insurance Association, Michael
Forscey, American Trial Lawyers Association, and Jeffrey D. Robinson, Baach,
Robinson & Lewis, all of Washington, DC; Mary Lou Keener, McLean, Virginia;
and Billie Joe Speicher, Ontario, Canada.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary: On Wednesday, January 19, Committee began
consideration of the nomination of Alberto R. Gonzales, of Texas, to be
Attorney General, Department of Justice, but did not complete action thereon,
and will meet again on Wednesday, January 26.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/01/24
Daily Digest - Monday, January 24, 2005; pages D23 - D26
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the
nomination of Jim Nicholson, of Colorado, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Prior to this action, committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination
of Jim Nicholson, of Colorado, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after the
nominee, who was introduced by Senators Allard and Salazar, testified and
answered questions in his own behalf.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/01/25
Daily Digest - Tuesday, January 25, 2005; pages D27 - D30
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported the following
business items:
An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee; and,
The nomination of Michael O. Leavitt, of Utah, to be Secretary of Health and
Human Services.
Also, Committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress, and
announced the following subcommittee assignments:
Subcommittee on Health Care: Senators Hatch (Chair), Snowe, Frist, Kyl,
Thomas, Santorum, Bunning, Rockefeller, Jeffords, Bingaman, Kerry, and Wyden.
Subcommittee on International Trade: Senators Thomas (Chair), Crapo, Lott,
Smith, Bunning, Hatch, Snowe, Frist, Bingaman, Baucus, Rockefeller, Conrad,
Wyden, and Schumer.
[Page: D28]
Subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy: Senators Santorum (Chair),
Grassley, Bunning, Frist, Lott, Kyl, Smith, Crapo, Conrad, Rockefeller,
Jeffords, Bingaman, Kerry, and Lincoln.
Subcommittee on Taxation and I.R.S. Oversight: Senators Kyl (Chair), Lott,
Hatch, Snowe, Crapo, Thomas, Santorum, Jeffords, Baucus, Conrad, Lincoln, and
Schumer.
Subcommittee on Long-Term Growth and Debt Reduction: Senators Smith (Chair),
Grassley, and Kerry.
Also, Committee appointed the following members to the Joint Committee on
Taxation, the Congressional Trade Advisors on Trade Policy and Negotiations,
and the Congressional Oversight Group: Senators Grassley, Hatch, Lott, Baucus,
and Rockefeller.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/01/26
Daily Digest - Wednesday, January 26, 2005; pages D32 - D37
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee ordered favorably
reported an original resolution (S. Res. 14) authorizing expenditures by the
Committee, and adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress.
CURRENT MILITARY OPERATIONS
Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing regarding current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan from
Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense; and General John P. Abizaid, USA,
Commander, United States Central Command.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably
reported an original resolution (S. Res. 15) authorizing expenditures by the
committee.
Also, committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress, and
announced the following subcommittee assignments:
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions: Senators Bennett (Chairman), Allard,
Santorum, Sununu, Martinez, Hagel, Bunning, Crapo, Johnson, Carper, Dodd,
Reed, Stabenow, and Bayh.
Subcommittee on Housing and Transportation: Senators Allard (Chairman),
Santorum, Dole, Enzi, Bennett, Martinez, Shelby, Reed, Stabenow, Corzine,
Dodd, Carper and Schumer.
Subcommittee on Securities and Investment: Senators Hagel (Chairman), Enzi,
Sununu, Martinez, Bennett, Bunning, Crapo, Dole, Allard, Santorum, Dodd,
Johnson, Reed, Schumer, Bayh, Stabenow, Corzine, and Carper.
Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance: Senators Crapo (Chairman),
Hagel, Enzi, Sununu, Dole, Bayh, Johnson, and Corzine.
Subcommittee on Economic Policy: Senators Bunning (Chairman), Shelby, and
Schumer.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee ordered favorably
reported the following business items:
Samuel W. Bodman, of Massachusetts, to be Secretary of Energy; and
An original resolution (S. Res. 13) authorizing expenditures by the committee.
Also, committee announced the following subcommittee assignments:
Subcommittee on Energy: Senators Alexander (Chairman), Burr, Martinez, Talent,
Allen, Bunning, Murkowski, Craig, Thomas, Burns, Dorgan, Akaka, Johnson,
Laudrieu, Feinstein, Cantwell, Corzine, and Salazar.
Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests: Senators Craig (Chairman), Burns,
Thomas, Talent, Smith, Alexander, Murkowski, Allen, Wyden, Akaka, Dorgan,
Johnson, Landrieu, Feinstein, and Cantwell.
Subcommittee on National Parks: Senators Thomas (Chairman), Alexander, Allen,
Burr, Martinez, Smith, Akaka, Wyden, Landrieu, Corzine, and Salazar.
Subcommittee on Water and Power: Senators Murkowski (Chairman), Smith, Craig,
Burr, Martinez, Burns, Bunning, Talent, Johnson, Dorgan, Wyden, Feinstein,
Cantwell, Corzine, and Salazar.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee ordered favorably
reported an original resolution (S. Res. 17) authorizing expenditures by the
committee.
Also, committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress, and
announced the following subcommittee assignments:
Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Senators Bond (Chairman),
Warner, Voinovich, Chafee, Murkowski, Thune, Baucus, Lieberman, Boxer, Carper,
and Clinton.
Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety: Senators
Voinovich (Chairman), Bond, DeMint, Isakson, Vitter, Carper, Lieberman,
Lautenberg, and Obama.
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water: Senators Chafee (Chairman),
Warner, Murkowski, DeMint, Vitter, Clinton, Lieberman, Lautenberg, and Obama.
Subcommittee on Superfund and Waste Management: Senators Thune (Chairman),
Isakson, Warner, Bond, Boxer, Baucus, and Lautenberg.
MULTI-EMISSIONS LEGISLATION
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate
Change, and Nuclear Safety concluded a hearing to examine the need for
multi-emissions legislation, focusing on the Clean Air Act, National Ambient
Air Quality Standards, and the Clear Skies Act, after receiving testimony from
Indiana State Senator Beverly Gard, Indianapolis; Mayor Bob Young, Augusta,
Georgia, on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Mayors; John A. Paul, Regional
Air Pollution Control Agency, Dayton, Ohio, on the behalf of State and
Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators and Association of Local Air
Pollution Control Officials; Ronald R. Harper, Basin Electric Power
Cooperative, Bismarck, North Dakota; Conrad G. Schneider, Clean Air Task
Force, Boston, Massachusetts; and Fred Parady, OCI Wyoming, L.P., Green River,
on behalf of the National Association of Manufacturers.
[Page: D34]
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on management
challenges related to border security, transportation security, integration,
intelligence, and preparedness, after receiving testimony from Richard L.
Skinner, Acting Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security; James Jay
Carafano, The Heritage Foundation, and Richard A. Falkenrath, The Brookings
Institution, both of Washington, D.C.; Michael A. Wermuth, RAND Corporation,
Arlington, Virginia; and Stephen E. Flynn, Council on Foreign Relations, New
York, New York.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee ordered
favorably reported an original resolution (S. Res. 16) authorizing
expenditures by the Committee.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported an original
resolution (S. Res. 19) authorizing expenditures by the committee, and agreed
to continue the protocol used in the 108th Congress for the release of
information obtained by subpoena in the ongoing Indian lobbying investigation.
Also, committee elected Senator McCain as the Chairman and Senator Dorgan as
Vice Chairman, and adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the
nomination of Alberto R. Gonzales, of Texas, to be Attorney General,
Department of Justice.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee ordered favorably
reported an original resolution (S. Res. 21) authorizing expenditures by the
Committee.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee ordered favorably reported an
original resolution authorizing expenditures by the committee, and approved
the committee's rules of procedure for the 109th Congress.
Also, committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving
testimony from officials of the intelligence community.
Committee recessed subject to call.
INTERNET PHARMACY AND DRUG IMPORTATION
Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the risks
and benefits associated with Internet pharmacies, focusing on the importation
of prescription drugs into the United States, and reducing the costs of
prescription drugs, after receiving testimony from Richard H. Carmona, Surgeon
General, U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services;
Jeff Kimmell, drugstore.com, Bellevue, Washington; Gary A. Schnabel, Oregon
State Board of Pharmacy, Portland; Mary Jorgensen, Coalition of Wisconsin
Aging Groups, Madison; and Roger Pilon, CATO Institute, Washington, D.C.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/01/31
Daily Digest - Monday, January 31, 2005; pages D39 - D42
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
[Page: D40]
2005/02/01
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 1, 2005; pages D43 - D48
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
MILITARY PERSONNEL BENEFITS
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine death
benefits and services available to survivors of military personnel and
legislative proposals to enhance these benefits, after receiving testimony
from David S.C. Chu, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness;
General Richard A. Cody, USA, Vice Chief of Staff, United States Army; Admiral
John B. Nathman, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy;
General William L. Nyland, USMC, Assistant Commandant, United States Marine
Corps; General T. Michael Moseley, USAF, Vice Chief of Staff, United States
Air Force; and Robert J. Epley, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy
and Program Management, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of
Veterans Affairs.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported an original
resolution (S. Res. 29) authorizing expenditures by the Committee, and adopted
its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress.
BUDGET AND ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
Congressional Budget Office report on the budget and economic outlook for
fiscal years 2006 to 2015, after receiving testimony from Douglas Holtz-Eakin,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Budget: On Monday, January 31, committee ordered favorably
reported an original resolution (S. Res. 24) authorizing expenditures by the
Committee.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered
favorably reported an original resolution (S. Res. 30) authorizing
expenditures by the committee.
U.S. POLICY IN IRAQ AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
strategies for reshaping U.S. policy regarding Iraq and the Middle East, after
receiving testimony from Anthony H. Cordesman, Center for Strategic and
International Studies, and Peter Khalil, The Brookings Institution Saban
Center for the Middle East Policy, both of Washington, D.C.; and Lt. Gen.
Gregory S. Newbold, USMC (Ret.), GlobeSecNine, Arlington, Virginia.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported an
original resolution (S. Res. 32) authorizing expenditures by the Committee,
adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress, and announced the
following subcommittee assignments:
Subcommittee on International Economic Policy, Export and Trade Promotion:
Senators Hagel (Chairman), Alexander, Murkowski, Martinez, Voinovich,
Sarbanes, Dodd, Kerry and Obama.
Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs: Senators Chafee
(Chairman), Hagel, Coleman, Voinovich, Sununu, Boxer, Sarbanes, Nelson, and
Obama.
Subcommittee on European Affairs: Senators Allen (Chairman), Voinovich,
Murkowski, Hagel, Chafee, Biden, Sarbanes, Dodd, and Feingold.
Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs:
Senators Coleman (Chairman), Chafee, Allen, Martinez, Sununu, Dodd, Kerry,
Boxer, and Nelson.
Subcommittee on International Operations and Terrorism: Senators Sununu
(Chairman), Voinovich, Allen, Coleman, Alexander, Nelson, Biden, Kerry, and
Boxer.
Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs: Senators Murkowski (Chairman),
Alexander, Hagel, Chafee, Allen, Kerry, Biden, Feingold, and Obama.
Subcommittee on African Affairs: Senators Martinez (Chairman), Alexander,
Coleman, Sununu, Murkowski, Feingold, Sarbanes, Dodd, and Obama.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee ordered favorably
reported an original resolution (S. Res. 21) authorizing expenditures by the
Committee, and adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress.
COMMITTEE RULES
Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee adopted its rules of procedure for
the 109th Congress.
BUSINESS MEETING
Special Committee on Aging: On Monday, January 31, committee ordered favorably
reported an original resolution (S. Res. 23) authorizing expenditures by the
Committee, and adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress.
[Page: D45]
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/02
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 2, 2005; pages D49 - D54
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS ACT
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the U.S. Tsunami Warning System, and S. 50, to authorize
and strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's tsunami
detection, forecast, warning, and mitigation program, after receiving
testimony from Senators Frist and Landrieu; John H. Marburger, III, Director,
Office of Science and Technology Policy; Brigadier General John J. Kelly, USAF
(Ret.), Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Charles G. Groat, Director, U.S.
Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; Arden L. Bement, Jr., Director,
National Science Foundation; Roger A. Hansen, Alaska Earthquake Information
Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Eileen L. Shea, East-West Center,
Honolulu, Hawaii; and Daniel T. Cox, Oregon State University College of
Engineering, Corvallis.
[Page: D50]
CLEAR SKIES ACT
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine S. 131, to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution through
expansion of cap and trade programs, to provide an alternative regulatory
classification for units subject to the cap and trade program, after receiving
testimony from James L. Connaughton, Chairman, Council on Environmental
Quality; Brian Houseal, Adirondack Council, Albany, New York; John D. Walke,
Natural Resources Defense Council, New York, New York; and Abraham Breehey,
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths,
Forgers, and Helpers, Fairfax, Virginia.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine the long term
outlook for social security, focusing on economic, budgetary, and programmatic
perspectives, and the aging of the population of the United States, receiving
testimony from Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director, Congressional Budget Office; and
Stephen C. Goss, Chief Actuary, Social Security Administration.
Hearing recessed subject to the call.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered
favorably reported an original resolution (S. Res. 34) authorizing
expenditures by the Committee.
Also, committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress and
announced the following subcommittee assignments:
Subcommittee on Education and Early Childhood Development: Senators Alexander
(Chairman), Gregg, Burr, Isakson, DeWine, Ensign, Hatch, Sessions, Dodd,
Harkin, Jeffords, Bingaman, Murray, Reed, and Clinton.
Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness: Senators Burr
(Chairman), Gregg, Frist, Alexander, DeWine, Ensign, Hatch, Roberts, Kennedy,
Dodd, Harkin, Mikulski, Bingaman, Murray, and Reed.
Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety: Senators Isakson (Chairman),
Alexander, Burr, Ensign, Sessions, Roberts, Murray, Dodd, Harkin, Mikulski,
and Jeffords.
Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging: Senators DeWine (Chairman),
Isakson, Hatch, Sessions, Roberts, Mikulski, Jeffords, Bingaman, and Clinton.
NOMINATION
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the nomination of Michael Chertoff, of New Jersey, to be
Secretary of Homeland Security, after the nominee, who was introduced by
Senators Corzine and Lautenberg, testified and answered questions in his own
behalf.
ASBESTOS
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine FELA
issues relating to asbestos, focusing on asbestos-related diseases, other dust
diseases, and development of legislation to establish a trust fund to
compensate workers with asbestos-related diseases, including the Fairness in
Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act, after receiving testimony from Edward
Becker, Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
Laura Welch, Center to Protect Workers Rights, Silver Spring, Maryland;
Michael B. Martin, Maloney, Martin, and Mitchell, LLP, Houston, Texas; David
Weill, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver; Lester Brickman,
Yeshiva University Cardozo School of Law, New York, New York; Paul E. Epstein,
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Radnor; Paul R. Hoferer, BNSF
Railway Co., Fort Worth, Texas, on behalf of the Association of American
Railroads; Donald F. Griffin, International Brotherhood of Teamsters,
Washington, D.C.; and Theodore Rodman, Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
COMMITTEE FUNDING RESOLUTION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee approved for reporting an original
resolution (S. Res. 35) authorizing expenditures by the Committee.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence
community.
[Page: D51]
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/03
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 3, 2005; pages D56 - D60
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
BSE
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the effects of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) on
United States imports and exports of cattle and beef, focusing on the
minimal-risk rule, the role of science in determining risk, and opening the
Japanese market, after receiving testimony from Michael Johanns, Secretary,
Keith Collins, Chief Economist, and Ron DeHaven, Administrator, Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, all of the Department of Agriculture.
FBI TRILOGY PROJECT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, the
Judiciary, and Related Agencies held a hearing to examine the Federal Bureau
of Investigation's Trilogy Information Technology Modernization Program,
designed to upgrade the FBI's IT infrastructure and replace its case
management system with the Virtual Case File (VCF), receiving testimony from
Robert S. Mueller III, Director, and Zalmai Azmi, Chief Information Officer,
both of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice.
[Page: D57]
Hearing recessed subject to the call.
IRAQ SECURITY FORCES
Committee on Armed Services: On Wednesday, February 2, Committee received a
closed briefing regarding training of Iraqi security forces from Lieutenant
General Walter L. Sharp, USA, Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, J-5,
The Joint Staff; Peter W. Rodman, Assistant Secretary of Defense for
International Security Affairs; and Robert B. Charles, Assistant Secretary of
State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
MILITARY OPERATIONS
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine United
States military operations and stabilization activities in Iraq and
Afghanistan, after receiving testimony from Paul D. Wolfowitz, Deputy
Secretary of Defense; General Richard B. Myers, USAF, Chairman, Joint Chiefs
of Staff; Ronald L. Schlicher, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State,
Coordinator for Iraq, and Maureen Quinn, former Ambassador, Coordinator on
Afghanistan.
U.S. ENERGY OUTLOOK
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine global energy trends and their potential impact on U.S. energy needs,
security and policy, focusing on the 2005 annual energy outlook, perspectives
on emerging world energy trends, including key factors affecting energy supply
(such as OPEC and Russia) and energy demand (such as Asia), after receiving
testimony from Guy F. Caruso, Administrator, Energy Information
Administration, Department of Energy; Jeffrey Logan, International Energy
Agency, Paris, France; and Andrew J. Slaughter, Shell Oil Company, and Frank
A. Verrastro, Center for Strategic and International Studies, both of
Washington, D.C.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following
business items:
An original resolution (S. Res. 36) authorizing expenditures by the Committee;
and S. 5, to amend the procedures that apply to consideration of interstate
class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants.
SURVIVORS BENEFITS
Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
benefits for survivors of those killed in the line of duty, after receiving
testimony from Daniel L. Cooper, Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for
Benefits; Mark L. Ward, Senior Policy Advisor, Casualty, Mortuary and Funeral
Affairs Honors, and Thomas R. Tower, Assistant Director of Compensation, both
of the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense; Frederick G.
Streckewald, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Social Security for Program
Policy; Bonnie Carroll, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Washington,
D.C.; Edith G. Smith, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Arlington, Virginia;
Kathleen B. Moakler, National Military Family Association, Alexandria,
Virginia; Tiffany Petty, Inkom, Idaho; and Jennifer McCollum, Orange Park,
Florida.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence
community.
SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM
Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine current
and future social security issues, focusing on possible changes to the Social
Security system and implications for the program and the federal budget
relating to the economy, after receiving testimony from Douglas Holtz-Eakin,
Director, Congressional Budget Office; David M. Walker, Comptroller General,
Government Accountability Office; David C. John, The Heritage Foundation
Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies, and John Rother, American
Association of Retired Persons, both of Washington, D.C.; and Robert L. Bixby,
The Concord Coalition, Arlington, Virginia.
[Page: D58]
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/07
Daily Digest - Monday, February 7, 2005; pages D62 - D64
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee ordered
favorably reported the nominations of Michael Chertoff, of New Jersey, to be
Secretary of Homeland Security, and Allen Weinstein, of Maryland, to be
Archivist of the United States.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/08
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 8, 2005; pages D66 - D70
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
CREDIT RATING AGENCIES
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the role of credit rating agencies in capital markets,
after receiving testimony from Kathleen A. Corbet, Standard and Poor's, The
McGraw-Hill, Companies, Inc., Stephen W. Joynt, Fitch Ratings, and Raymond W.
McDaniel, Jr., Moody's Investors Services, Inc., all of New York, New York;
Yasuhiro Harada, Rating and Investment Information, Inc., Tokyo, Japan; Sean
J. Egan, Egan-Jones Ratings Company, Haverford, Pennsylvania; Micah S. Green,
The Bond Market Association, Washington, D.C.; and James A. Kaitz, Association
for Financial Professionals, Bethesda, Maryland.
[Page: D67]
2006 BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Committee held a hearing to examine the President's
proposed budget for fiscal year 2006, receiving testimony from David M.
Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability
Office.
SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY SELF-DETERMINATION ACT
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands and
Forests concluded a hearing to examine the implementation of Titles I through
III of P.L. 106-393, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination
Act of 2000, after receiving testimony from Mark Rey, Under Secretary of
Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment; Ed Shepard, Assistant
Director, Renewable Resources and Planning, Bureau of Land Management,
Department of the Interior; James B. French, Trinity County Office of
Education, Weaverville, California; Timothy Creal, Custer School District,
Custer, South Dakota; Reta Griffith, Pocahontas County, Marlinton, West
Virginia, on behalf of County Commissioners' Association of West Virginia, and
Sherry Krulitz, Shoshone County, Wallace, Idaho, on behalf of the Idaho
Association of Counties, both on behalf of the National Association of
Counties; and Tim Lillebo, Oregon Natural Resources Council, Bend, Oregon.
BUDGET REVENUE PROPOSALS
Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine revenue
proposals in the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2006, after
receiving testimony from John W. Snow, Secretary of the Treasury.
NIH BIODEFENSE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on
Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness concluded a hearing to examine the
biodefense research program of the National Institutes of Health, focusing on
the development of medical countermeasures against a bioterrorist attack,
after receiving testimony from Anthony S. Fauci, Director, National Institute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department
of Health and Human Services; Penrose C. Albright, Assistant Secretary of
Homeland Security for Science and Technology; Gerald L. Epstein, Center for
Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.; Gordon Cameron,
Acambis, PLC, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Jon S. Abramson, Wake Forest
University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and George
Painter, Chimerix, Inc., La Jolla, California.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Rules and Administration: Committee ordered favorably reported an
original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee.
Also, committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/09
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 9, 2005; pages D71 - D78
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
2006 BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Committee held a hearing to examine the President's
proposed budget for fiscal year 2006, receiving testimony from Joshua B.
Bolten, Director, Office of Management and Budget.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee ordered favorably
reported the following bills:
S. 47, to provide for the exchange of certain Federal land in the Santa Fe
National Forest; and certain non-Federal land in the Pecos National Historical
Park in the State of New Mexico;
S. 63, to establish the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area in the
State of New Mexico, with an amendment;
S. 74, to designate a portion of the White Salmon River as a component of the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System;
S. 134, to adjust the boundary of Redwood National Park in the State of
California;
S. 153, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a resource study of
the Rim of the Valley Corridor in the State of California to evaluate
alternatives for protecting the resources of the Corridor;
S. 156, to designate the Ojito Wilderness Study Area as wilderness, to take
certain land into trust for the Pueblo of Zia, with an amendment;
S. 163, to establish the National Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area in the State of
Utah, with an amendment;
S. 176, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a
hydroelectric project in the State of Alaska;
S. 177, to further the purposes of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and
Adjustment Act of 1992 by directing the Secretary of the Interior, acting
through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to carry out an assessment and
demonstration program to control salt cedar and Russian olive;
S. 178, to provide assistance to the State of New Mexico for the development
of comprehensive State water plans;
S. 200, to establish the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in the State
of Georgia, with an amendment;
S. 203, to reduce temporarily the royalty required to be paid for sodium
produced on Federal lands;
S. 204, to establish the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area in the State of
Louisiana;
S. 205, to authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish in
the State of Louisiana a memorial to honor the Buffalo Soldiers;
S. 207, to adjust the boundary of the Barataria Preserve Unit of the Jean
Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in the State of Louisiana;
S. 212, to amend the Valles Caldera Preservation Act to improve the
preservation of the Valles Caldera;
S. 214, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the
States on the border with Mexico and other appropriate entities in conducting
a hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, and modeling program for priority
transboundary aquifers;
S. 225, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to undertake a program to
reduce the risks from and mitigate the effects of avalanches on recreational
users of public land, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
S. 229, to clear title to certain real property in New Mexico associated with
the Middle Rio Grande Project;
S. 231, to authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in the
rehabilitation of the Wallowa Lake Dam in Oregon;
S. 232, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau
of Reclamation, to assist in the implementation of fish passage and screening
facilities at non-Federal water projects;
S. 243, to establish a program and criteria for National Heritage Areas in the
United States;
S. 244, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a
hydroelectric project in the State of Wyoming;
S. 249, to establish the Great Basin National Heritage Route in the States of
Nevada and Utah;
S. 252, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land in
Washoe County, Nevada, to the Board of Regents of the University and Community
College System of Nevada;
S. 253, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to the
land to the Edward H. McDaniel American Legion Post No. 22 in Pahrump, Nevada,
for the construction of a post building and memorial park for use by the
American Legion, other veterans' groups, and the local community, with an
amendment;
S. 254, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to
Lander County, Nevada, and the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain
land to Eureka County, Nevada, for continued use as cemeteries;
[Page: D73]
S. 263, to provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal
lands, with an amendment; and
S. 264, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and
Facilities Act to authorize certain projects in the State of Hawaii.
BUDGET: EPA
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2006 for the
Environmental Protection Agency, after receiving testimony from Stephen L.
Johnson, Acting Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
SIX POWER TALKS
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing of an update on six-party talks from Joseph DeTrani, Special Envoy to
the Six Power Talks.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered
favorably reported the following business items:
S. 265, to amend the Public Health Service Act to add requirements regarding
trauma care;
S. 306, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with
respect to health insurance and employment;
S. 302, to make improvements in the Foundation for the National Institutes of
Health;
S. 285, to reauthorize the Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education
Program;
S. 288, to extend Federal funding for operation of State high risk health
insurance pools; and
The nominations of A. Wilson Greene, of Virginia, to be a Member of the
National Museum and Library Services Board, Katina P. Strauch, of South
Carolina, to be a Member of the National Museum and Library Services Board,
and Edward L. Flippen, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Corporation for
National and Community Services.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Rules and Administration: Committee ordered favorably reported an
original resolution authorizing expenditures by all committees of the Senate.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence
community.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/10
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 10, 2005; pages D79 - D86
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
BUDGET: DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
proposed Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2006 and the Future
Years Defense Program, after receiving testimony from General Peter J.
Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff, United States Army; Admiral Vernon E. Clark,
USN, Chief of Naval Operations; General Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant of
the Marine Corps; and General John P. Jumper, USAF, Chief of Staff, United
States Air Force.
MORTGAGE MARKET
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the role of government-sponsored enterprises in the
mortgage market, focusing on promoting affordable housing and homeownership
opportunities for low- and moderate-income Americans, after receiving
testimony from John C. Weicher, Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development, Federal Housing Commissioner; Allen J. Fishbein, Consumer
Federation of America, and Richard K. Green, George Washington University
School of Business, both of Washington, D.C.; Anthony B. Sanders, The Ohio
State University Fisher College of Business, Columbus; and Susan M. Wachter,
University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, Philadelphia.
2006 BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Committee held a hearing to examine the President's
proposed budget for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony from John W.
Snow, Secretary of the Treasury.
TSUNAMI RESPONSE
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
lessons learned regarding the tsunami response, focusing on inquiries from
American citizens, coordinating government-wide mechanisms, and engaging the
international community, after receiving testimony from Senator Frist; Alan
Larson, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural
Affairs; Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense; Andrew S. Natsios,
Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development; Daniel Toole, United
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), New York, New York; and Mary E. McClymont,
InterAction, and Nancy Lindborg, Mercy Corps, both of Washington, D.C.
NEW HUMAN RESOURCES SYSTEM
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on
Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of
Columbia concluded a hearing to examine the new human resources system of the
Department of Homeland Security, focusing on unlocking the potential of
employees, pay and performance management, adverse actions and appeals, and
labor-management relations, after receiving testimony from David M. Walker,
Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office;
Ronald J. James, Chief Human Capital Officer, Department of Homeland Security;
Ronald P. Sanders, Associate Director for Strategic Human Resources Policy,
Office of Personnel Management; and Darryl A. Perkinson, Federal Managers
Association, Colleen M. Kelley, National Treasury Employees Union, John Gage,
American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Richard N. Brown,
National Federation of Federal Employees, and Kim Mann, National Association
of Agriculture Employees, all of Washington, D.C.
BANKRUPTCY REFORM
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
bankruptcy reform, focusing on S. 256, to amend title 11 of the United States
Code, after receiving testimony from Kenneth H. Beine, Shoreline Credit Union,
Two Rivers, Wisconsin, on behalf of the Credit Union National Association;
Maria T. Vullo, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison, LLP, New York, New
York; Malcolm Bennett, International Realty and Investments, Inc., Los
Angeles, California, on behalf of National Multi Housing Council and National
Apartment Association; Phillip L. Strauss, National Child Support Enforcement
Association, San Francisco, California; David McCall, United Steelworkers of
America, AFL-CIO, Columbus, Ohio; R. Michael Stewart Menzies, Sr., Easton Bank
and Trust Company, Easton, Maryland, on behalf of the Independent Community
Bankers of America; Elizabeth Warren, Harvard Law School, Cambridge,
Massachusetts; and Todd J. Zywicki, Georgetown University Law Center,
Washington, D.C.
[Page: D81]
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on
intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence
community.
Committee recessed subject to call.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/14
Daily Digest - Monday, February 14, 2005; pages D87 - D90
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: on Thursday, February
10, Committee approved for reporting the following subcommittee assignments:
Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International
Security: Senators Coburn (Chairman), Stevens, Voinovich, Chafee, Bennett,
Domenici, Warner, Carper, Levin, Akaka, Dayton and Lautenberg.
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations: Senators Coleman (Chairman),
Stevens, Coburn, Chafee, Bennett, Domenici, Warner, Levin, Akaka, Carper,
Dayton, Lautenberg, and Pryor.
Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of
Columbia: Senators Voinovich (Chairman), Stevens, Coleman, Coburn, Chafee,
Bennett, Domenici, Warner, Akaka, Levin, Carper, Dayton, Lautenberg, and
Pryor.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/15
Daily Digest - Tuesday, February 15, 2005; pages D91 - D126
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BUDGET
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
priorities and plans for the atomic energy defense activities of the
Department of Energy (DOE) and to review the President's budget request for
fiscal year 2006 for atomic energy defense activities of the Department of
Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration, focusing on the
Administration's priorities for nuclear weapons, threat reduction programs,
and DOE's environmental clean-up program, after receiving testimony from
Samuel W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nominations of John Paul Woodley, Jr., of Virginia, to be an Assistant
Secretary of the Army, Buddie J. Penn, of Virginia, to be an Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, who was introduced by former Senator Symms, and the
following named officer for appointment in the United States Navy to the grade
indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under
title 10, U.S.C., section 601: Adm. William J. Fallon, to be Admiral, after
the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
[Page: D92]
BUDGET: TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2006 for
the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration
and related program, after receiving testimony from David M. Stone, Assistant
Secretary of Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland
Security; and Cathleen Ann Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice,
Government Accountability Office.
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy concluded a
hearing to examine the future of liquefied natural gas, focusing on the
prospects for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the United States and to discuss
the safety and security issues related to LNG developments, after receiving
testimony from J. Mark Robinson, Director, Office of Energy Projects, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, Captain David L. Scott, Commandant, U.S. Coast
Guard, Department of Homeland Security; Mike Hightower, Technical Staff
Member, Sandia National Laboratories; Michael R. Peevey, California Public
Utilities Commission, Los Angeles; William Kramer, Jr., New Jersey Division of
Fire Safety, Trenton, on behalf of the National Association of State Fire
Marshals; Mayor David N. Cicilline, Providence, Rhode Island; Thomas E. Giles,
Mitsubishi, Long Beach, California; and Richard L. Grant, Tractebel North
America, and Distrigas of Massachusetts, Boston.
NOMINATION
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nomination of Robert B. Zoellick, to be Deputy Secretary of State, after the
nominee, who was introduced by Senators Grassley and Baucus, testified and
answered questions in his own behalf.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2006, after receiving
testimony from R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Peter S.
Gaytan, The American Legion, Dennis M. Cullinan, Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, Joseph A. Violante, Disabled American Veterans, and Richard
B. Fuller, Paralyzed Veterans of America, all of Washington, D.C.; and Richard
Jones, AMVETS, Lanham, Maryland.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/16
Daily Digest - Wednesday, February 16, 2005; pages D128 - D136
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL
Committee on Appropriations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine on
proposed legislation making emergency supplemental appropriations for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, after receiving testimony from Donald
Rumsfeld, Secretary, and Tina W. Jonas, Under Secretary, Comptroller, both of
the Department of Defense; and General Richard B. Myers, Chairman, Joint
Chiefs of Staff.
MONETARY POLICY REPORT
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the semiannual monetary policy report to Congress, focusing
on the Federal Reserve's objectives of price stability and maximum sustainable
employment, after receiving testimony from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
BUDGET: 2006
Committee on the Budget: Committee held a hearing to examine the transparency
of budget measures, focusing on the economic costs of long-term federal
obligations, receiving testimony from Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director,
Congressional Budget Office.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee ordered favorably
reported the following bills:
S. 48, to reauthorize appropriations for the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail
Route, with an amendment;
S. 52, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey a parcel of real
property to Beaver County, Utah;
S. 54, to amend the National Trails System Act to require the Secretary of the
Interior to update the feasibility and suitability studies of four national
historic trails, with an amendment;
S. 55, to adjust the boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park in the State of
Colorado;
S. 56, to establish the Rio Grande Natural Area in the State of Colorado;
S. 57, to further the purposes of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic
Site Establishment Act of 2000;
S. 97, to provide for the sale of bentonite in Big Horn County, Wyoming;
S. 99, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to contract with the city of
Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the storage of the city's water in the Kendrick
Project, Wyoming;
S. 101, to convey to the town of Frannie, Wyoming, certain land withdrawn by
the Commissioner of Reclamation;
S. 128, to designate certain public land in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino,
Lake, and Napa Counties in the State of California as wilderness, to designate
certain segments of the Black Butte River in Mendocino County, California as a
wild or scenic river;
S. 136, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide supplemental
funding and other services that are necessary to assist certain local school
districts in the State of California in providing education services for
students attending schools located within Yosemite National Park, to authorize
the Secretary of the Interior to adjust the boundaries of the Golden Gate
National Recreation Area, with an amendment;
S. 152, to enhance ecosystem protection and the range of outdoor opportunities
protected by statute in the Skykomish River valley of the State of Washington
by designating certain lower-elevation Federal lands as wilderness, with an
amendment;
S. 161, to provide for a land exchange in the State of Arizona between the
Secretary of Agriculture and Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership;
S. 182, to provide for the establishment of the Uintah Research and Curatorial
Center for Dinosaur National Monument in the States of Colorado and Utah, with
an amendment;
S. 272, to designate certain National Forest System land in the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System,
with an amendment;
S. 276, to revise the boundary of the Wind Cave National Park in the State of
South Dakota; and
S. 301, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance in
implementing cultural heritage, conservation, and recreational activities in
the Connecticut River watershed of the States of New Hampshire and Vermont,
with an amendment.
[Page: D130]
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee ordered favorably
reported S. 125, to designate the United States courthouse located at 501 I
Street in Sacramento, California, as the "Robert T. Matsui United States
Courthouse".
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET
Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine the President's
proposed budget request for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Health and
Human Services, receiving testimony from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of
Health and Human Services.
Hearings recessed subject to the call.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUDGET
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2006 for foreign affairs,
after receiving testimony from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the
nomination of Robert B. Zoellick, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of
State.
OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: on Wednesday,
February 15, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations resumed hearings to
examine the United Nations management and oversight of the Oil-for-Food
Program (OFF Program), focusing on the operations of the independent
inspection agents retained by the United Nations and their role within the OFF
Program, including the administration of the OFF Program by the U.N. Office of
the Iraq Program and the findings of the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight
Services, after receiving testimony from Ambassador Patrick F. Kennedy, U.S.
Representative for U.N. Management and Reform, United States Mission to the
United Nations; Joseph A. Christoff, Director, International Affairs and Trade
Team, Government Accountability Office; Robert M. Massey, Andre E. Pruniaux,
and Milan Radenovic, all of Cotecna Inspection S.A., Geneva, Switzerland; John
Denson, Saybolt Group, Houston, Texas; Arthur Ventham, Kinross, Western
Australia; Stafford Clarry, Syracuse, New York; and Verne Kulyk, Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine transforming government for the 21st century, focusing on
the report of the Government Accountability Office entitled 21st Century
Challenges: Reexamining the Base of the Federal Government, including
addressing the nation's long-term fiscal gap, deciding on the appropriate role
and size of government, and financing the government, after receiving
testimony from David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States,
Government Accountability Office.
DRUG IMPORTATION
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the realities of safety and security regarding drug
importation, after receiving testimony from Richard H. Carmona, Surgeon
General, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services;
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, St. Paul; John M. Gray, Healthcare
Distribution Management Association, Reston, Virginia; Carmen A. Catizone,
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, Mount Prospect, Illinois; and
Peter Rost, Pfizer, Inc., New York, New York.
BUDGET: INDIAN PROGRAMS
Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
President's fiscal year 2006 budget request for Indian programs, after
receiving testimony from James Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary for Indian
Affairs, and Ross O. Swimmer, Special Trustee for American Indians, both of
the Department of the Interior; Charles W. Grim, Assistant Surgeon General,
Director, Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services;
Michael Liu, Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Public
and Indian Housing; Victoria Vasques, Assistant Deputy Secretary and Director
of Education for Indian Education, Department of Education; Tex G. Hall,
National Congress of American Indians, Chester Carl, National American Indian
Housing Council, and John Thomas Petherick, National Indian Health Board, all
of Washington, D.C.; and David Beaulieu, National Indian Education
Association, Alexandria, Virginia.
WORLD THREAT
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
national security threats to the interests of the United States, focusing on
terrorism, Iraq, nuclear weapons proliferation, and North Korea, after
receiving testimony from Porter J. Goss, Director of Central Intelligence;
Robert S. Mueller III, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department
of Justice; Admiral James Loy, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), Deputy Secretary of
Homeland Security; Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, U.S. Navy, Director, Defense
Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense; and Carol Rodley, Principal Deputy
Assistance Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research.
[Page: D131]
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/17
Daily Digest - Thursday, February 17, 2005; pages D137 - D144
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION: BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006
for the National Science Foundation, after receiving testimony from John H.
Marburger III, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy; and Arden L.
Bement, Jr., Director National Science Foundation, and Warren M. Washington,
Chair, both of the National Science Board.
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL
Committee on Appropriations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine proposed
legislation making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2005, after receiving testimony from Condoleezza Rice,
Secretary of State.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
proposed Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2006 and the Future
Years Defense Program, after receiving testimony from Donald H. Rumsfeld,
Secretary, and Tina W. Jonas, Under Secretary, Comptroller, both of the
Department of Defense; and General Richard B. Myers, USAF, Chairman, Joint
Chiefs of Staff.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the
nominations of Buddie J. Penn, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of
the Navy, Admiral William J. Fallon, USN, to be Commander, U.S. Pacific
Command, and 2,598 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
Committee on the Budget: Committee held a hearing to examine rising health
care costs and the impact on future generations relating to Medicare and
Medicaid, receiving testimony from Thomas R. Saving, Public Trustee, Federal
Hospital Insurance and Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds,
Department of Health and Human Services; Jeffrey R. Brown, University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana; and Lois E. Quam, UnitedHealth Group,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT ACT OVERSIGHT
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks
concluded an oversight hearing to examine the National Park Service's
implementation of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Public Law
108-447), after receiving testimony from P. Lynn Scarlett, Assistant Secretary
of the Interior for Policy, Management, and Budget; Jill Nicoll, National Park
Foundation, Washington, D.C.; and Stephanie M. Clement, Friends of Acadia, Bar
Harbor, Maine.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations
of Daniel R. Levinson, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Department of
Health and Human Services, and Harold Damelin, of Virginia, to be Inspector
General, and Raymond Thomas Wagner, Jr., of Missouri, to be a Member of the
Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board, both of the Department of the
Treasury, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own
behalf.
RUSSIA
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
democracy in retreat in Russia, after receiving testimony from Steven Theede,
YUKOS Oil Company, Moscow, Russia; Tim Osborne, Group MENATEP, London, United
Kingdom; Anders Aslund, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Bruce P.
Jackson, Project on Transitional Democracies, Stephen Nix, International
Republican Institute, Nelson Ledsky, National Democratic Institute, Mary
McClymont, Interaction, and Nancy Lindborg, Mercy Corps, all of Washington,
D.C.; and Daniel Toole, UNICEF, New York, New York.
FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on
Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of
Columbia concluded a hearing to examine an overview of the Government
Accountability Office high-risk list, focusing on ensuring Congressional
oversight by bringing attention to government-wide management challenges and
high-risk program areas, after receiving testimony from David M. Walker,
Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office;
and Clay Johnson III, Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and
Budget.
[Page: D140]
DRUG IMPORTATION
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the price of drug reimportation, focusing on implications
for United States consumers, pricing, research and development, and
innovation, after receiving testimony from Grant D. Aldonas, Under Secretary
of Commerce for International Trade; Robert M. Goldberg, Manhattan Institute
for Policy Research Center for Medical Progress, New York, New York; Benjamin
Zycher, Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy, San Francisco,
California; Stephen Pollard, Centre for the New Europe, Brussels, Belgium; and
Kevin Outterson, West Virginia University College of Law, Morgantown.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported S. 256, to
amend title 11 of the United States Code, with amendments.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUDGET
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year
2006 for the Small Business Administration, after receiving testimony from
Hector V. Barreto, Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration; David
Coit, North Atlantic Capital, Washington, D.C., on behalf of the National
Association of Small Business Investment Companies; Daniel Betancourt,
Association For Enterprise Opportunity, on behalf of the Community First Fund,
and Patricia Sands, Spill-Guard, on behalf of the Women's Business Center of
Northern Virginia, both of Arlington; John R. Massaua, Maine Small Business
Development Center, Portland, on behalf of the Association of Small Business
Development Centers; and Edward Tuvin, Community South Bank, Adamsville,
Tennessee, on behalf of the National Association of Government Guaranteed
Lenders, Inc.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on
intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence
community.
Committee recessed subject to call.
[Page: D141]
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/02/18
Daily Digest - Friday, February 18, 2005; pages D145 - D146
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/01
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 1, 2005; pages D153 - D160
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine military
strategy and operational requirements from combatant commanders in review of
the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006, after receiving
testimony from General James L. Jones, Jr., USMC, Commander, United States
European Command, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe; General John P. Abizaid,
USA, Commander, U.S. Central Command; and General Bryan D. Brown, USA,
Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command.
NOMINATION
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the nomination of Ronald Rosenfeld, of Oklahoma, to be a
Director of the Federal Housing Finance Board, after the nominee, who was
introduced by former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, testified and answered
questions in his own behalf.
BUDGET: DEFENSE
Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2006 for defense, after receiving
testimony from Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary, General Peter Pace, Vice
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Tina Jonas, Under Secretary
(Comptroller), all of the Department of Defense.
BUDGET: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2006 for the
Department of the Interior, after receiving testimony from Gale A. Norton,
Secretary, and Lynn Scarlett, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and
Budget, both of the Department of the Interior.
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN PROPOSAL
Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine the financial status
of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and the Administration's Defined
Benefit Plan Funding Proposal, receiving testimony from Mark J. Warshawsky,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for EconomicPolicy; Ann L. Combs,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security
Administration; Bradley D. Belt, Executive Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation; Larry Zimpleman, Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, Iowa, on
behalf of the Business Roundtable; Alan Reuther, United Auto Workers,
Washington, D.C.; and Randall S. Kroszner, The University of Chicago Graduate
School of Business, Chicago, Illinois.
Hearings recessed subject to the call of the Chair.
FDA's DRUG APPROVAL PROCESS
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee held a hearing
to examine Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) drug approval process,
focusing on FDA's drug approval process after a sponsor demonstrates that
their benefits outweigh their risks for a specific population and use, and
that the drug meet meets standards for safety and efficacy, receiving
testimony from Sandra L. Kweder, Deputy Director, Office of New Drugs, Food
and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Nancy
Davenport-Ennis, National Patient Advocate Foundation, Scott Gottlieb,
American Enterprise Institute, and William B. Schultz, Zuckerman Spaeder, LLP,
all of Washington, D.C.; Thomas R. Fleming, University of Washington
Department of Biostatistics, Seattle; David Fassler, University of Vermont
College of Medicine, Burlington, on behalf of American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Psychiatric Association; and Abbey S.
Meyers, National Organization for Rare Disorders, Danbury, Connecticut.
Hearings recessed until Thursday, March 3.
NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ACT
Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 147,
to express the policy of the United States regarding the United States
relationship with Native Hawaiians and to provide a process for the
recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity,
after receiving testimony from Representative Case and Delegate Faleomavaega;
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, Hawaii State Attorney General Mark Ben,Haunani
Apoliona, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Micah Kane, State Department of Hawaiian
Home Lands, and Jade Danner, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, all of
Honolulu; Tex Hall, National Congress of American Indians, Washington, D.C.;
and Julie Kitka, Alaska Federation of Natives, Anchorage, Alaska.
[Page: D155]
NOMINATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nomination of William Gerry Myers III, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit
Judge for the Ninth Circuit, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator
Craig, testified and answered questions in his own behalf.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/02
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 2, 2005; pages D162 - D170
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: On February 17, 2005,
Committee announced the following subcommittee assignments:
Subcommittee on Production and Price Competitiveness: Senators McConnell
(Chairman), Cochran, Roberts, Santorum, Coleman, Grassley, Conrad, Dayton,
Baucus, Leahy, and Lincoln.
Subcommittee on Marketing, Inspection, and Product Promotion: Senators Talent
(Chairman), McConnell, Thomas, Roberts, Grassley, Lugar, Baucus, Nelson (NE),
Salazar, Conrad, and Stabenow.
Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization: Senators
Crapo (Chairman), Lugar, Cochran, Talent, Thomas, Coleman, Lincoln, Leahy,
Nelson (NE), Dayton, and Salazar.
Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition, and General Legislation: Senators
Santorum (Chairman), Lugar, Crapo, Cochran, McConnell, Roberts, Leahy,
Stabenow, Lincoln, Baucus, and Nelson (NE).
APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services,
Education and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget
estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Education, after
receiving testimony from Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education.
APPROPRIATIONS: DEFENSE BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to
examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the defense budget,
after receiving testimony from Tina W. Jonas, Under Secretary of Defense
(Comptroller); and Admiral Robert F. Willard, Director, Force Structure,
Resources, and Assessment, J8, The Joint Staff.
APPROPRIATIONS: IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security concluded a
hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for states
citizenship and immigration services, Customs and Border Protection,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after receiving testimony from Robert
Bonner, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, Michael J. Garcia,
Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Eduardo
Aguirre, Jr., Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, all of the
Department of Homeland Security.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Armed Services: On February 18, 2005, Committee announced the
following subcommittee assignments:
Subcommittee on Airland: Senators McCain (Chairman), Inhofe, Sessions, Ensign,
Talent, Chambliss, Graham, Dole, Lieberman, Reed, Akaka, Nelson (FL), Dayton,
Bayh, and Clinton.
[Page: D164]
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities: Senators Cornyn (Chairman),
Roberts, Collins, Ensign, Talent, Graham, Dole, Thune, Reed, Kennedy, Byrd,
Nelson (FL), Nelson (NE), Bayh, and Clinton.
Subcommittee on Personnel: Senators Graham (Chairman), McCain, Collins,
Chambliss, Dole, Nelson (NE), Kennedy, Lieberman, and Akaka.
Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support: Senators Ensign (Chairman),
McCain, Inhofe, Roberts, Sessions, Chambliss, Cornyn, Thune, Akaka, Byrd,
Nelson (FL), Nelson (NE), Dayton, Bayh, and Clinton.
Subcommittee on Seapower: Senators Talent (Chairman), McCain, Collins,
Chambliss, Kennedy, Lieberman, and Reed.
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces: Senators Sessions (Chairman), Inhofe,
Roberts, Graham, Cornyn, Thune, Nelson (FL), Byrd, Reed, Nelson (NE), and
Dayton.
HUMAN INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES
Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing regarding Department of Defense human intelligence activities from
Stephen A. Cambone, Under Secretary for Intelligence, and Vice Admiral Lowell
E. Jacoby, USN, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, both of the Department
of Defense; and a representative of the intelligence community.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: On January 26, 2005, Committee
adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress.
FOREST SERVICE BUDGET
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2006 for USDA
Forest Service, after receiving testimony from Mark E. Rey, Secretary of
Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment, and Dale N. Bosworth,
Forest Service Chief, both of the Department of Agriculture.
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE OVERSIGHT
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to
examine foreign assistance, focusing on South Asia and assisting in keeping
the region free from terrorism, prosperous and economically integrated,
governed through accountable democratic institutions, and a moderator in the
Muslim world, after receiving testimony from Donald Camp, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for South Asian Affairs, David M. Satterfield, Acting Assistant
Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, Michael E. Ranneberger, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Roger F. Noriega, Assistant Secretary
for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Evans Revere, Acting Assistant Secretary for
East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Robert A. Bradtke, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasian Affairs, all of the Department of
State; and James R. Kunder, Assistant Administrator for Asia and the Near
East, Lloyd O. Pierson, Assistant Administrator for Africa, Adolfo Franco,
Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Kent R. Hill,
Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia, all of United States Agency
for International Development.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: On February 10, 2005,
Committee approved for reporting the adoption of its rules of procedure for
the 109th Congress.
Also, on March 1, 2005, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations adopted
its rules of procedures for the 109th Congress.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Rules and Administration: On February 14, 2005, Committee ordered
favorably reported an original resolution (S. Res. 49) authorizing
expenditures by the Committee.
Also, on February 14, 2005, Committee ordered favorably reported an original
resolution (S. Res. 50) authorizing expenditures by the committees of the
Senate.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: On January 26, 2005,
Committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence
community.
[Page: D165]
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/03
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 3, 2005; pages D172 - D178
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
APPROPRIATIONS: U.S. FOREST SERVICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior concluded a hearing to
examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the U.S. Forest
Service, after receiving testimony from Mark E. Rey, Under Secretary for
Natural Resources and Environment, and Dale N. Bosworth, Forest Service Chief,
both of the Department of Agriculture.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services: Committee continued hearings to examine the
proposed Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006 and the Future
Years Defense Program, after receiving testimony from General James L. Jones,
Jr., USMC, Commander, U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander,
Europe; General John P. Abizaid, USA, Commander, U.S. Central Command; and
General Bryan D. Brown, USA, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on the Budget: On January 31, 2005, Committee adopted its rules of
procedure for the 109th Congress.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BUDGET
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2006 for the
Department of Energy, after receiving testimony from Samuel W. Bodman,
Secretary of Energy.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported an
original bill, entitled Foreign Relations Authorization Act, fiscal years 2006
and 2007, to authorize appropriations for the Department of State and
international broadcasting activities for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, for
foreign assistance programs for fiscal years 2006 and 2007.
DRUG SAFETY
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the Food and Drug Administration's process of ensuring drug
safety, after receiving testimony from Janet Woodcock, Acting Deputy
Commissioner for Operations, Food and Drug Administration, Department of
Health and Human Services; Cecil B. Wilson, American Medical Association,
Winter Park, Florida; Keith L. Carson, The Williamsburg BioProcessing
Foundation, Virginia Beach, Virginia; Raymond L. Woosley, University of
Arizona Critical Path Institute, Tucson; and Bruce M. Psaty, University of
Washington Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, Seattle.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nominations of Terrence W. Boyle, of North Carolina, to be United States
Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, James C. Dever III, to be United States
District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and Robert J.
Conrad, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Western District of
North Carolina, who were introduced by Senators Dole and Burr, after each
nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on
intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence
community.
Committee recessed subject to call.
[Page: D174]
MEDICARE MODERNIZATION ACT
Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act regarding delivering
prescription drugs to low-income beneficiaries eligible for both Medicare and
Medicaid, dual eligibles, after receiving testimony from Mark B. McClellan,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of
Health and Human Services; Tina Kitchin, Oregon Department of Human Services,
Salem; Carl Clark, Mental Health Center of Denver, Denver, Colorado; and Wendy
Gerlach, Roeschen's Omnicare Pharmacy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/04
Daily Digest - Friday, March 4, 2005; pages D179 - D186
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
[Page: D181]
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/07
Daily Digest - Monday, March 7, 2005; pages D188 - D192
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Committee on Appropriations: Committee announced the following subcommittee
assignments:
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies: Senators
Bennett (Chair), Cochran, Specter, Bond, McConnell, Burns, Craig, Brownback,
Kohl, Harkin, Dorgan, Feinstein, Durbin, Johnson, and Landrieu.
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science: Senators Shelby (Chair),
Gregg, Stevens, Domenici, McConnell, Hutchison, Brownback, Bond, Mikulski,
Inouye, Leahy, Kohl, Murray, Harkin, and Dorgan.
[Page: D190]
Subcommittee on Defense: Senators Stevens (Chair), Cochran, Specter, Domenici,
Bond, McConnell, Shelby, Gregg, Hutchison, Burns, Inouye, Byrd, Leahy, Harkin,
Dorgan, Durbin, Reid, Feinstein, and Mikulski.
Subcommittee on District of Columbia: Senators DeWine (Chair), Cochran,
Allard, Landrieu, and Durbin.
Subcommittee on Energy and Water: Senators Domenici (Chair), Cochran,
McConnell, Bennett, Burns, Craig, Bond, Hutchison, Allard, Reid, Byrd, Murray,
Dorgan, Feinstein, Johnson, Landrieu, and Inouye.
Subcommittee on Homeland Security: Senators Gregg (Chair), Cochran, Stevens,
Specter, Domenici, Shelby, Craig, Bennett, Allard, Byrd, Inouye, Leahy,
Mikulski, Kohl, Murray, Reid, and Feinstein.
Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies: Senators Burns (Chair),
Stevens, Cochran, Domenici, Bennett, Gregg, Craig, Allard, Dorgan, Byrd,
Leahy, Reid, Feinstein, Mikulski, and Kohl.
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related
Agencies: Senators Specter (Chair), Cochran, Gregg, Craig, Hutchison, Stevens,
DeWine, Shelby, Harkin, Inouye, Reid, Kohl, Murray, Landrieu, and Durbin.
Subcommittee on Legislative Branch: Senators Brownback (Chair), DeWine,
Allard, Durbin, and Johnson.
Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs: Senators Hutchison
(Chair), Burns, Craig, DeWine, Brownback, Allard, McConnell, Feinstein,
Inouye, Johnson, Landrieu, Byrd, and Murray.
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: Senators
McConnell (Chair), Specter, Gregg, Shelby, Bennett, Bond, DeWine, Brownback,
Leahy, Inouye, Harkin, Mikulski, Durbin, Johnson, and Landrieu.
Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, and Housing and Urban
Development: Senators Bond (Chair), Shelby, Specter, Bennett, Hutchison,
DeWine, Brownback, Stevens, Domenici, Burns, Murray, Byrd, Mikulski, Reid,
Kohl, Durbin, Dorgan, Leahy, and Harkin.
NOMINATION
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the nomination of Michael Jackson, of Virginia, to be
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, after the nominee testified and
answered questions in his own behalf.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/08
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 8, 2005; pages D193 - D202
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the reauthorization of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, after receiving testimony from Sharon Brown-Hruska, Acting
Chairman, Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Charles P. Carey, Chicago
Board of Trade, Terrence A. Duffy, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and Satish
Nandapurkar, Eurex US, all of Chicago, Illinois; James Newsome, New York
Mercantile Exchange, Inc., and Frederick W. Schoenhut, New York Board of
Trade, both of New York, New York; and John M. Damgard, Futures Industry
Association, Washington, D.C.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Appropriations: On February 17, 2005, Committee adopted its rules
of procedure for the 109th Congress.
APPROPRIATIONS: NAVY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction concluded a
hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for defense
wide and navy budget overview, after receiving testimony from Tina W. Jonas,
Under Secretary (Comptroller), and Philip W. Grone, Deputy Under Secretary
(Installations and Environment), both of the Department of Defense; B.J. Penn,
Assistant Secretary (Installations and Environment), and Rear Admiral Wayne G.
Shears, Jr., Deputy Director, Ashore Readiness Division, both of the United
States Navy; and Brigadier General Willie J. Williams, Assistant Deputy
Commandant, Installations and Logistics (Facilities), United States Marine
Corps.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded an open and closed hearing to
examine military strategy and operational requirements in review of the
Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony
from Admiral William J. Fallon, USN, Commander, United States Pacific Command;
and General Leon J. LaPorte, USA, Commander, United Nations Command and
Republic of Korea/United States Combined Forces Command Commander, United
States Forces Korea.
OPERATIONS IN IRAQ
Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing to discuss current operations in Iraq from General George W. Casey,
Jr., USA, Commanding General, Multi-National Force--Iraq; and Peter W. Rodman,
Assistant of Defense for International Security Affairs.
LAND BILLS
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands and
Forests concluded a hearing to examine S. 179, to provide for the exchange of
land within the Sierra National Forest, California, S. 213, to direct the
Secretary of the Interior to convey certain Federal land to Rio Arriba County,
New Mexico, S. 267, to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community
Self-Determination Act of 2000, S. 305, to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to recruit volunteers to assist with or facilitate the activities of
various agencies and offices of the Department of the Interior, S. 476, to
authorize the Boy Scouts of America to exchange certain land in the State of
Utah acquired under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, and S. 485, to
reauthorize and amend the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, after
receiving testimony from Senator Hatch; Mark Rey, Under Secretary of
Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment; Christopher Kearney,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy Management and Budget;
Robert Douglas, Tehama County Schools, Red Bluff, California, on behalf of the
National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition; and Michael A. Francis,
Wilderness Society, Washington, D.C.
[Page: D196]
POWER GENERATION RESOURCES
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine ways to encourage the diversification of power generation resources,
focusing on renewable portfolio standards (RPS) efforts among states and the
cost and benefits of a federal RPS program, and new approaches to promoting a
variety of clean power resources, such as wind, solar, clean coal technology
and nuclear power, after receiving testimony from David K. Garman, Assistant
Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Richard E.
Morgan, Commissioner, District of Columbia Public Service Commission, on
behalf of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; Ryan
H. Wiser, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California; Wayne
Brunetti, Xcel Energy, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Sonny Popowsky, Pennsylvania
Office of Consumer Advocate, Harrisburg, on behalf of National Association of
State Utility Consumer Advocates; Donald N. Furman, PacifiCorp, Portland,
Oregon; Kerry W. Bowers, Southern Company, Birmingham, Alabama; Alan Nogee,
Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Brian
O'Shaughnessy, Revere Copper Products, Rome, New York, on behalf of National
Association of Manufacturers.
PHYSICIAN-OWNED SPECIALITY HOSPITALS
Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine physician-owned
specialty hospitals, focusing on the effects that speciality hospitals have on
community hospitals, receiving testimony from Thomas A. Gustafson, Deputy
Director, Center for Medicare Management, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Glenn M. Hackbarth,
Chairman, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; Alan H. Pierrot, PSC Health,
Inc., Fresno, California, on behalf of American Surgical Hospital Association;
Larry Veitz, Lookout Memorial Hospital, Spearfish, South Dakota; and J. Andy
Sullivan, Oklahoma University Medical Center, Oklahoma City.
Hearing recessed subject to the call of the Chair.
BLACK SEA AREA
Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on European Affairs concluded a
hearing to examine the current state of democracy in the Black Sea region and
the prospects for further democratic evolution in the area, after receiving
testimony from John F. Tefft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European
and Eurasian Affairs; and Bruce P. Jackson, Project on Transitional
Democracies, Vladimir Socor, Jamestown Foundation, and Zeyno Baran, The Nixon
Center, all of Washington, D.C.
NOMINATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nomination of Thomas B. Griffith, of Utah, to be United States Circuit Judge
for the District of Columbia Circuit, after the nominee, who was introduced by
Senators Hatch and Bennett, testified and answered questions in his own
behalf.
TERRORISM AND EMP THREAT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and
Homeland Security concluded a hearing to examine terrorism and the
electromagnetic pulse (EMP) threat to homeland security, after receiving
testimony from Peter M. Fonsah, Acting Deputy Manager, National Communications
Systems, Department of Homeland Security; and Lowell Wood, Acting Chairman,
and Peter V. Pry, both of the Congressional Commission to Assess the Threat to
the U.S. from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack.
527 REFORM ACT
Committee on Rules and Administration: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine S. 271, to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to clarify
when organizations described in section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 must register as political committees, after receiving testimony from
Senators Feingold and McCain; Scott E. Thomas, Chairman, and David M. Mason,
Commissioner, both of the Federal Election Commission; Frances R. Hill,
University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida; and Robert F. Bauer,
Perkins Coie LLP, and Michael J. Malbin, Campaign Finance Institute, both of
Washington, D.C.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on
intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence
community.
Committee recessed subject to call.
[Page: D197]
Joint Meetings
HUMAN RIGHTS IN EUROPE
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission):
Commission concluded a hearing to examine the challenges facing the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2005, focusing on
security and human rights, after receiving testimony from Dimitrij Rupel,
Chairman, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Republic of Slovenia.
2005/03/09
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 9, 2005; pages D204 - D214
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
APPROPRIATIONS: ARMY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to
examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Army, after
receiving testimony from Francis J. Harvey, Secretary, and General Peter J.
Schoomaker, Chief of Staff, both of the Army.
DEFENSE: AIR FORCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
concluded a hearing to examine the Department of Defense science and
technology budget and strategy, after receiving testimony from Ronald M. Sega,
Director, Defense Research and Engineering; Thomas H. Killion, Deputy
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology, Chief Scientist;
Rear Admiral Jay M. Cohen, USN, Chief of Naval Research; James B. Engle,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology, and
Engineering; and Anthony J. Tether, Director, Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency.
SECURITIES INDUSTRY
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the state of the securities industry, focusing on recent
initiatives regarding market structure, credit rating agencies, mutual funds
and the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, after receiving
testimony from William H. Donaldson, Chairman, Securities and Exchange
Commission.
NOMINATION
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably
reported the nomination of Ronald Rosenfeld, of Oklahoma, to be a Director of
the Federal Housing Finance Board.
2006 BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Committee met to mark up a proposed concurrent
resolution setting forth the fiscal year 2006 budget for the Federal
Government, but did not complete consideration thereon, and will meet again
tomorrow.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine the nominations of Patricia Lynn Scarlett, of California, to be Deputy
Secretary of the Interior, and Jeffrey Clay Sell, of Texas, to be Deputy
Secretary of Energy, who was introduced by Senator Hutchison, after the
nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee completed its markup of
S. 131, to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution through expansion
of cap and trade programs, to provide an alternative regulatory classification
for units subject to the cap and trade program, following which a tie vote
occurred, therefore the committee was unable to report the bill.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported the following
business items:
An original bill entitled the "Personal Responsibility and Individual
Development for Everyone (PRIDE) Act"; and
The nominations of Harold Damelin, of Virginia, to be Inspector General,
Department of the Treasury, and Raymond Thomas Wagner, Jr., of Missouri, to be
a Member of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY BUDGET
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year
2006 for the Department of Homeland Security, after receiving testimony from
Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security.
NOMINATION
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee ordered
favorably reported the nomination of Michael Jackson, of Virginia, to be
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered
favorably reported the following bills:
[Page: D207]
S. 250, to amend the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of
1998 to improve the Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
S. 525, to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to
reauthorize the Act, to improve early learning opportunities and promote
school preparedness;
S. 172, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the
regulation of all contact lenses as medical devices; and
S. 544, to amend title IX of the Public Health Service Act to provide for the
improvement of patient safety and to reduce the incidence of events that
adversely effect patient safety.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the
following bills:
S. 147, to express the policy of the United States regarding the United States
relationship with Native Hawaiians and to provide a process for the
recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity, with
an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and
S. 536, to make technical corrections to laws relating to Native Americans.
INDIAN TRUST REFORM
Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to
examine trust management reform within the Department of the Interior, after
receiving testimony from James Cason, Acting Assistant Secretary for Indian
Affairs, and Ross O. Swimmer, Special Trustee for American Indians, both of
the Department of the Interior; Tex G. Hall, National Congress of American
Indians, and Keith Harper, Native American Rights Fund, both of Washington,
D.C.; Jim Gray, Intertribal Monitoring Association on Indian Trust funds,
Albuquerque, New Mexico; Charles C. Colombe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South
Dakota, Rosebud; and Darrell Hillaire, Lummi Indian Nation, Bellingham,
Washington, on behalf of the California Tribal Trust Reform Consortium.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence
community.
Joint Meetings
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs concluded joint hearings
with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative
recommendations of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, after receiving testimony
from John Furgess, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Washington,
D.C.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/10
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 10, 2005; pages D215 - D224
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded
hearings to examine the reauthorization of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, after receiving testimony from Jeffrey C. Sprecher,
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia; Robert G. Pickel,
International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., New York, New York;
Daniel J. Roth, National Futures Association, Chicago, Illinois; and Oliver I.
Ireland, Morrison and Forester, LLP, on behalf of Huntsman Corporation, John
G. Gaine, Managed Funds Association, and Micah S. Green, The Bond Market
Association, all of Washington, D.C.
APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies
concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006
for the Department of the Interior, after receiving testimony from Gale A.
Norton, Secretary of the Interior.
APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND RADIOACTIVE WASTE
MANAGEMENT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water concluded a
hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the
Environmental Management and Radioactive Waste Management in the Department of
Energy, after receiving testimony from Paul M. Golan, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management, and Theodore J. Garrish,
Deputy Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, both of the
Department of Energy.
APPROPRIATIONS: FOSTER CARE INITIATIVES
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on District of Columbia concluded a
hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for funding
for Federal foster care initiatives in the District of Columbia, after
receiving testimony from Brenda Donald Walker, District of Columbia Child and
Family Services Agency; Martha B. Knisley, District of Columbia Department of
Mental Health; Lee F. Sattefield, Family Court of District of Columbia
Superior Court; Judith Metzler, Center for the Study of Social Policy, and
Margie Chalofsky, Foster and Adoptive Family Advocacy Center, both of
Washington, D.C.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DETENTION OPERATIONS
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
review of Department of Defense detention operations and detainee
interrogation techniques, after receiving testimony from Vice Admiral Albert
T. Church III, USN, Director of the Navy Staff.
IDENTITY THEFT
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee held hearings to
examine recent developments involving the security of sensitive consumer
information relating to identity theft, focusing on laws currently applicable
to resellers of consumer information, receiving testimony from Senator Leahy;
Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission; Larry Johnson,
Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Investigative Division, United States Secret
Service, Department of Homeland Security; Amy S. Friend, Assistant Chief
Counsel, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the
Treasury.
Hearings recessed subject to the call of the Chair.
[Page: D218]
2006 BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Committee ordered favorably reported an original
concurrent resolution setting forth the fiscal year 2006 budget for the
Federal Government.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered
favorably reported the following bills:
S. 148, to establish a United States Boxing Commission to administer the Act;
S. 361, to develop and maintain an integrated system of ocean and coastal
observations for the Nation's coasts, oceans and Great Lakes, improve warnings
of tsunamis and other natural hazards, enhance homeland security, support
maritime operations;
S. 39, to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
S. 362, to establish a program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the United States Coast Guard to help identify, determine
sources of, assess, reduce, and prevent marine debris and its adverse impacts
on the marine environment and navigation safety, in coordination with
non-Federal entities, with an amendment;
S. 50, to authorize and strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's tsunami detection, forecast, warning, and mitigation program,
with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
S. 268, to provide competitive grants for training court reporters and closed
captioners to meet requirements for realtime writers under the
Telecommunications Act of 1996, with amendments; and
Nominations in the Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
Also, Committee adopted its rules of procedures for the 109th Congress.
Joint Meetings
MIDDLE EAST DEMOCRACY
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission): On
Wednesday, March 9, 2005, Commission concluded a hearing to examine the
Russian-Syrian connection and threats to democracy in the Middle East and the
great OSCE region, after receiving testimony from Senator Sam Brownback;
Representatives Christopher H. Smith and Benjamin L. Cardin; Walid Phares,
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, on behalf of the Foundation for the
Defense of Democracies; Farid N. Ghadry, Reform Party of Syria, Ilan Berman,
American Foreign Policy Council, and Steven Emerson, The Investigative
Project, all of Washington, D.C.; and Entifadh K. Qanbar, United Iraqi
Alliance, Baghdad, Iraq.
LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATIONS
Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs concluded joint hearings
with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine legislative
presentations of certain veterans organizations, after receiving testimony
from Robert N. Lichtenberger, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Springfield,
Virginia; Randy L. Pleva, Sr., Paralyzed Veterans of America, Louis Abramson,
Jewish War Veterans, and Neil Appleby, Blinded Veterans Association, all of
Washington, D.C.; and H. Gene Overstreet, Non-Commissioned Officers
Association, San Antonio, Texas.
2005/03/11
Daily Digest - Friday, March 11, 2005; pages D226 - D232
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
Nominations
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nominations of R. Nicholas Burns, of Massachusetts, to be an Under Secretary
of State (Political Affairs), C. David Welch, of Virginia, a Career Member of
the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, to be an Assistant
Secretary of State (Near Eastern Affairs), and John B. Bellinger, of Virginia,
to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State, who were introduced by Senator
Warner, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own
behalf.
[Page: D227]
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/14
Daily Digest - Monday, March 14, 2005; pages D233 - D238
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
TERRORIST TRAVEL
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and
Citizenship with the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland
Security concluded a hearing to examine strengthening enforcement and border
security, focusing on the 9/11 Commission staff report on terrorist travel,
after receiving testimony from Elaine Dezenski, Acting Assistant Secretary for
Border and Transportation Security for Policy and Planning, and Thomas J.
Walters, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Training and Development, Customs
and Border Protection, both of the Department of Homeland Security; Doris
Meissner, Migration Policy Institute, Washington, D.C.; and Janice L. Kephart,
The Investigative Project on Terrorism, Mount Vernon, Virginia.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/15
Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 15, 2005; pages D239 - D248
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAMS
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine school nutrition programs, focusing on the elimination of
reduced price meals, the Summer Food Service Program, and nutrition education
and promotion, after receiving testimony from Senator Dole; Dora Rivas, Dallas
Independent School District, Dallas, Texas; Annette Bomar Hopgood, Georgia
Department of Education, Atlanta; Karen Johnson, Child Nutrition Programs,
Yuma, Arizona, on behalf of the School Nutrition Association; and Ruth Jonen,
Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Illinois.
APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction and
Veterans' Affairs concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for
fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, after receiving
testimony from R. James Nicholson, Secretary, Jonathan B. Perlin, Acting Under
Secretary for Health, Veterans' Health Administration, Vice Admiral Daniel L.
Cooper (USN Ret.), Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits
Administration, Richard A. Wannemacher, Acting Under Secretary for Memorial
Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, Tim McClain, General Counsel, and
Rita A. Reed, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, all of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine
proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Labor,
after receiving testimony from Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor.
APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury,
Judiciary and Housing and Urban Development concluded a hearing to examine
proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of
Transportation, after receiving testimony from Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary of
Transportation.
[Page: D241]
APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water concluded a
hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Office of Science, and
the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology in the Department of
Energy, after receiving testimony from David Garman, Assistant Secretary,
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Raymond L. Orbach, Director,
Office of Science, and William D. Magwood, IV, Director, Office of Nuclear
Energy, Science and Technology, all of Department of Energy.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION: MILITARY STRATEGY
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine military
strategy and operational requirements from combatant commanders in review of
the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006, after receiving
testimony from General Bantz J. Craddock, USA, Commander, U.S. Southern
Command; and Admiral Timothy J. Keating, USN, Commander, U.S. Northern
Command.
NOMINATION
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nomination of Anthony Joseph Principi, of California, to be a Member of the
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, after the nominee testified
and answered questions in his own behalf.
HERITAGE AREA BILLS
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Nationals Parks
concluded a hearing to examine S. 175, to establish the Bleeding Kansas and
Enduring Struggle for Freedom National Heritage Area, S. 322, to establish the
Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership in the States of Vermont and
New York, S. 323, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the
suitability and feasibility of designating the French Colonial Heritage Area
in the State of Missouri as a unit of the National Park System, and S. 429, to
establish the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area in the State of
Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, after receiving testimony
from Janet Snyder Matthews, Associate Director, Cultural Resources, National
Park Service, Department of the Interior; James Baker, Missouri Department of
Natural Resources, St. Genevieve; Judy Billings, Kansas Chamber of Commerce,
Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lawrence; Ronald D. Jones, Upper Housatonic
Valley National Heritage Area, Inc., Salisbury, Connecticut; Ann Cousins,
Preservation Trust of Vermont, Burlington; John W. Cosgrove, Alliance of
National Heritage Areas, Scranton, Pennsylvania; and J. Peyton Knight,
American Policy Center, and American Land Rights Association, Warrenton,
Virginia.
NOMINATION
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nomination of Howard J. Krongard, of New Jersey, to be Inspector General,
Department of State, after the nominee answered questions in his own behalf.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nominations of Joseph R. DeTrani, of Virginia, for the rank of Ambassador
during his tenure of service as Special Envoy for the Six Party Talks, John
Thomas Schieffer, of Texas, to be Ambassador to Japan, who was introduced by
Senator Hutchison, and Christopher R. Hill, of Rhode Island, to be an
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, after each
nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the
nominations of Howard J. Krongard, of New Jersey, to be Inspector General,
Department of State, Joseph R. DeTrani, of Virginia, for the rank of
Ambassador during his tenure of service as Special Envoy for the Six Party
Talks, John Thomas Schieffer, of Texas, to be Ambassador to Japan, Christopher
R. Hill, of Rhode Island, to be an Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian
and Pacific Affairs, R. Nicholas Burns, of Massachusetts, to be an Under
Secretary of State for Political Affairs, C. David Welch, of Virginia, to be
an Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, John B. Bellinger,
of Virginia, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State, David B. Balton,
of the District of Columbia, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of
service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and Fisheries,
Rudolph E. Boschwitz, of Minnesota, for the rank of Ambassador during his
tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the
Human Rights Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United
Nations, and promotion lists in the Foreign Service.
NATIONAL SECURITY PERSONNEL SYSTEM
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on
Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of
Columbia concluded an oversight hearing to examine ensuring the success of the
National Security Personnel System, focusing on the proposed regulations
jointly published by the Department of Defense and Office of Personnel
Management for the National Security Personnel System regarding management of
the department and for civil service reform across the Federal government,
after receiving testimony from David M. Walker, Comptroller General,
Government Accountability Office; Charles S. Abell, Principal Deputy Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; George Nesterczuk, Senior
Advisor to the Director on Department of Defense, Office of Personnel
Management; Richard Oppedisano, Federal Managers Association, Alexandria,
Virginia; and John Gage, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO,
Washington, D.C., and Gregory J. Junemann, International Federation of
Professional and Technical Engineers, AFL-CIO and CLC, Silver Spring,
Maryland, both on behalf of the United DOD Workers' Coalition.
[Page: D242]
OPEN GOVERNMENT ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland
Security concluded a hearing to examine S. 394, to promote accessibility,
accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of
title 5, United States Code (the OPEN Government Act), and S. 589, to
establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays,
after receiving testimony from Katherine M. "Missy" Cary, Office of the Texas
Attorney General, Austin; Mark Tapscott, The Heritage Foundation, Lisa Graves,
American Civil Liberties Union, Meredith Fuchs, George Washington University
National Security Archive, and Thomas M. Susman, Ropes and Gray LLP, all of
Washington, D.C.; and Walter Mears, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY MERGERS
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
SBC/ATT and Verizon/MCI mergers relating to remaking the telecommunications
industry, after receiving testimony from Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., SBC
Communications Inc., San Antonio, Texas; Ivan G. Seidenberg, Verizon
Communications, Inc., New York, New York; David Dorman, AT&T Corporation,
Bedminister, New Jersey; and Michael D. Capellas, MCI, Inc., Ashburn,
Virginia.
BUSINESS MEETING
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider
pending intelligence matters.
Committee recessed subject to the call.
RETIREMENT
Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
economics of retirement, focusing on the aging population, after receiving
testimony from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve Board.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/16
Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 16, 2005; pages D249 - D258
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
APPROPRIATIONS: NAVY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to
examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Navy, after
receiving testimony from Gordon R. England, Secretary of the Navy, Admiral
Vern Clark, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, and General Michael W. Hagee,
Commandant of Marine Corps, all of the Department of Defense.
APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for
fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Health and Human Services, after
receiving testimony from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human
Services.
APPROPRIATIONS: ARMY AND AIR FORCE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction and
Veterans Affairs concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for
fiscal year 2006 for the Army and Air Force, after receiving testimony from
Geoffrey G. Prosch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Installations and
Environment, Major General Geoffrey D. Miller, Assistant Chief of Staff,
Installation Management, Major General Walter F. Pudlowski, Special Assistant
to the Director, Army National Guard, and Brigadier General Gary M. Profit,
Deputy Chief, Army Reserve, all of the Department of the Army; and Fred W.
Kuhn, Acting Assistant Secretary for Installations, Logistics, and
Environment, and Major General L. Dean Fox, The Air Force Civil Engineer,
Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics, both of the Department
of the Air Force.
[Page: D251]
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION: ARMY TRANSFORMATION
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland concluded a hearing to
examine Army Transformation and the Future Combat System in review of the
Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony
from Claude M. Bolton, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition,
Logistics, and Technology; General Richard A. Cody, USA, Vice Chief of Staff,
U.S. Army; Paul L. Francis, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management,
Government Accountability Office; David R. Graham, Institute for Defense
Analyses, Alexandria, Virginia; and Kenneth F. Boehm, National Legal and
Policy Center, Falls Church, Virginia.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST: NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE POLICY
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine national
security space policy and programs in review of the Defense Authorization
request for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony from Peter B. Teets,
Acting Secretary of the Air Force; General James E. Cartwright, USMC,
Commander, United States Strategic Command; General Lance W. Lord, USAF,
Commander, United States Air Force Space Command; Lieutenant General Larry J.
Dodgen, USA, Commanding General, United States Army Space and Missile Defense
Command, and United States Army Forces Strategic Command; and Vice Admiral
Joseph A. Sestak, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare
Requirements and Programs.
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing on Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and the evolving IED threat and
the Department of Defense's approach to addressing this issue from General
Richard A. Cody, USA, Vice Chief of Staff, United States Army, Brigadier
General Joseph L. Votel, USA, Director, Joint IED Task Force, and Robert
Buhrkuhi, Director, Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell, Office of the Under
Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics).
IDENTITY THEFT
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: On March 15, 2005, Committee
concluded hearings to examine identity theft, focusing on recent developments
involving the security of sensitive consumer information, after receiving
testimony from Don McGuffey, ChoicePoint, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia; Evan
Hendricks, Privacy Times, Cabin John, Maryland; and Barbara J. Desoer, Bank of
America Corporate Center, Charlotte, North Carolina.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee ordered favorably
reported the nominations of Jeffrey Clay Sell, of Texas, to be Deputy
Secretary of Energy, and Patricia Lynn Scarlett, of California, to be Deputy
Secretary of the Interior.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee ordered favorably
reported the following bills:
S. 606, to amend the Clean Air Act to eliminate methyl tertiary butyl ether
from the United States fuel supply, to increase production and use of
renewable fuel, and to increase the Nation's energy independence, with
amendments; and
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of
2005, with amendments.
EXPIRING TAX PROVISIONS
Committee on Finance: Committee held hearings to examine expiring tax
provisions, focusing on the Administration's proposals to extend expiring tax
provisions, receiving testimony from Robert J. Carroll, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Analysis; Hy L. Dubowsky, New York State
Department of Labor, Albany; Daniel L. Doctoroff, New York Deputy Mayor for
Economic Development and Rebuilding, New York; Donald C. Alexander, Akin,
Gump, Strauss, Hauer, and Feld LLP, Washington, D.C.; David E. Martin, M-CAM,
Charlottesville, Virginia; David Hernandez, EDS, Plano, Texas, on behalf of
the R&D Credit Coalition; and Dale Giovengo, Giant Eagle Markets, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
Hearings recessed subject to the call of the Chair.
ARMS EMBARGO ON CHINA
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
lifting of the European Union (EU) arms embargo on China, focusing on United
States-EU-China relations, trans-Atlantic differences, the emergence of China
as a more powerful global and regional player, Chinese military modernization,
and the future security and stability in East Asia, after receiving testimony
from Richard F. Grimmett, Specialist in National Defense, Congressional
Research Service, Library of Congress; Peter T.R. Brookes, Heritage
Foundation, and Bates Gill, Center for Strategic and International Studies,
both of Washington, D.C.
[Page: D252]
OBSCENITY PROSECUTION AND THE CONSTITUTION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and
Property Rights concluded a hearing to examine obscenity prosecution and the
constitution, focusing on prostitution, child prostitution, and human
trafficking, after receiving testimony from Robert A. Destro, Catholic
University of America Columbus School of Law, and Patrick A. Trueman, Family
Research Council, both of Washington, D.C.; and Frederick Schauer, Harvard
University John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a
briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence
community.
No Joint hearings noted.
2005/03/17
Daily Digest - Thursday, March 17, 2005; pages D260 - D270
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