Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
Senate passed S. 256, Bankruptcy Reform Act.
The House passed H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for
Users.
Senate
components of the National Wilderness Preservation
Chamber Action System, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109–34)
Routine Proceedings, pages S2405–S2503 S. 600, to authorize appropriations for the Depart-
Measures Introduced: Sixteen bills and four resolu- ment of State and international broadcasting activi-
tions were introduced, as follows: S. 587–602, S. ties for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, for the Peace
Res. 79–81, and S. Con. Res. 17. Pages S2482–83 Corps for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, for foreign as-
Measures Reported: sistance programs for fiscal years 2006 and 2007. (S.
S. 99, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to Rept. No. 109–35) Page S2482
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D216 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST March 10, 2005
receive alimony or child support, or both, from Yad Vashem Complex: Senate agreed to S. Res.
means testing. Page S2416 79, expressing the sense of the Senate in marking
By 41 yeas to 58 nays (Vote No. 37), Dodd (for the dedication on March 15, 2005, of the expanded
Kennedy) Amendment No. 69, to amend the defini- museum complex at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust
tion of current monthly income. Pages S2416–17 Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority in
By 38 yeas to 61 nays (Vote No. 38), Akaka Israel, in furtherance of Yad Vashem’s mission to
Amendment No. 105, to limit claims in bankruptcy document the history of the Jewish people during
by certain unsecured creditors. Page S2417 the Holocaust, to preserve the memory and story of
By 44 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 39), Kennedy each of the victims, impart the legacy of the Holo-
(for Leahy/Sarbanes) Amendment No. 83, to modify caust to future generations, and recognize the Right-
the definition of disinterested person in the Bank- eous Among the Nations. Pages S2501–02
ruptcy Code. Pages S2424–26 Honoring Fern Holland: Senate agreed to S. Res.
By 43 yeas to 56 nays (Vote No. 41), Schumer 80, honoring the life of Fern Holland and expressing
Amendment No. 129 (to Amendment No. 121), to the deepest condolences of the Senate to her family
limit the exemption for asset protection trusts. on their loss. Page S2502
Pages S2427–28
Honoring Chris LeDoux: Senate agreed to S. Res.
Withdrawn: 81, recognizing the contribution of Chris LeDoux to
Feingold Amendment No. 90, to amend the pro- country music. Page S2502–03
vision relating to fair notice given to creditors.
Pages S2462–63
Concurrent Budget Resolution—Agreement: A
unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing
Feingold Amendment No. 93, to modify the dis- for the consideration of an original resolution setting
closure requirements for debt relief agencies pro- forth the fiscal year 2006 budget for the Federal
viding bankruptcy assistance. Page S2463
Government, at 10 a.m., on Monday, March 14,
Feingold Amendment No. 95, to amend the pro- 2005, and that there be a total of 45 hours remain-
visions relating to the discharge of taxes under chap- ing on the resolution, with 22 hours controlled by
ter 13. Page S2463
the Majority and 23 hours controlled by the Minor-
Feingold Amendment No. 96, to amend the pro- ity. Page S2499
visions relating to chapter 13 plans to have a 5-year
duration in certain cases and to amend the definition Messages From the President: Senate received the
of disposable income for purposes of chapter 13. following message from the President of the United
Page S2463
States:
During consideration of this measure today, Senate Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the na-
also took the following action: tional emergency with respect to Iran; which was re-
Feingold Amendment No. 87, to amend section ferred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
104 of title 11, United States Code, to include cer- Urban Affairs. (PM–9) Page S2481
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h
House of Representatives
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users:
Chamber Action The House passed H.R. 3, to authorize funds for
Measures Introduced: 55 public bills, H.R. Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and
1212–1266; 1 private bill, H.R. 1267; and 9 resolu- transit programs, by a yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas
tions, H. Con. Res. 91–94, and H. Res. 146–150 to 9 nays, Roll No. 65. The measure was also de-
were introduced. Pages H1368–71 bated on Wednesday, March 9. Pages H1272–H1324
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March 10, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D219
pro rata calculation, reflecting a state’s level of in- areas in non-attainment or maintenance for fine and
vestment in a toll facility (a requested recorded vote coarse particulate matter; and Pages H1310–11
was later vacated and the amendment was agreed to Flake amendment (No. 12 printed in H. Rept.
by voice vote); Pages H1302–03, H1305 109–15) that subtracts the amount that states re-
Pascrell amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. ceive in earmarks from their formula totals in the
109–15) that allows states to enact anti-corruption Surface Transportation Program. Pages H1311–13
laws curbing the practice of ‘‘pay-to-play’’ con- The Clerk was authorized to make technical cor-
tracting without losing their federal-aid highway rections and conforming changes, as may be nec-
dollars; Pages H1305–06 essary to reflect the actions of the House, in the en-
Rogers (MI) amendment (No. 7 printed in H. grossment of the bill. Page H1325
Rept. 109–15) that prohibits the sale or use of a H. Res. 144, the rule providing for further con-
traffic signal preemption transmitter by a non-gov- sideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote.
ernment approved user; Page H1306 Pages H1272–76
Honda amendment (No. 9 printed in H. Rept.
109–15) that provides that basic grant funds author- Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House ad-
ized under the Alcohol-Impaired Driving Counter- journ today, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on
measures section can be used for Driving While In- Monday, March 14 for Morning Hour debate; and
toxicated Courts that seek to change the behavior of further that when it adjourn on Monday, it adjourn
alcohol or drug dependent offenders arrested while to meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15 for Morn-
driving while impaired; and Pages H1307–08 ing Hour debate as though after May 16, 2005,
Barton amendment (No. 10 printed in H. Rept. thereafter to resume its session at 10 a.m. Page H1326
109–15) that provides that assessments of risks to Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the
human health or the environment pursuant to re- Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, March
search or studies under the surface transportation en- 16. Page H1326
vironment and planning and cooperative research Condolences of the House to the families of vic-
program, and subsequent use of such studies, follow tims of the terrorist attacks in Madrid on March
sound and objective scientific practices and describe 11, 2004: The House agreed to H. Res. 99, express-
the weight of the scientific evidence (a requested re- ing the condolences of the House of Representatives
corded vote was later vacated and the amendment
was agreed to by voice vote). to the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks
Pages H1308–10, H1313
in Madrid that occurred one year ago, on March 11,
Tom Davis of Virginia amendment (No. 2 printed 2004, and expressing deepest sympathy to the indi-
in H. Rept. 109–15) that removes the requirement
that toll rates on high occupancy toll lanes be dif- viduals injured in those attacks and to the people of
ferentiated for low income drivers (by a recorded the Kingdom of Spain. Page H1326
vote of 224 ayes to 201 noes, Roll No. 62); and Agreed to the McCotter amendment that replaces
Pages H1300–02, H1321–22
the preamble of the resolution. Pages H1326–27
drawn that would have revised the formula by which Presidential Message: Read a message from the
funds are allocated under the Congestion Mitigation President wherein he notified Congress of the con-
and Air Quality Improvement Program to include tinuation of the national emergency with respect to
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March 10, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D221
Pacific Command; and Gen. Leon J. LaPorte, Com- fense Advanced Research Projects Agency; Thomas
mander, Republic of Korea-United States Combined H. Killion, Assistant Secretary of the Army, Re-
Forces Command, and Commander, U.S. Forces search and Technology; RADM Jay M. Cohen, USN,
Korea. Chief of Naval Research; and James B. Engle, Dep-
DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND uty Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Science,
COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES Technology and Engineering.
APPROPRIATIONS RECREATIONAL MARINE EMPLOYMENT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, ACT OF 2005
The Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, Committee on Education and the Workforce: Sub-
and Related Agencies held a hearing on NOAA. committee on Workforce Protections approved for
Testimony was heard from VADM. Conrad C. full Committee action H.R. 940, Recreational Ma-
Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret), Under Secretary, rine Employment Act of 2005.
NOAA, Department of Commerce.
STEROIDS IN SPORTS
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on
BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection and the
Committee on Armed Services: Continued hearings on Subcommittee on Health held a joint hearing enti-
the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization tled ‘‘Steroids in Sports: Cheating the System and
budget request. Testimony was heard from the fol- Gambling Your Health.’’ Testimony was heard from
lowing officials of the Department of Defense: Don- Representative Ryun (KS); and public witnesses.
ald R. Rumsfeld, Secretary; and GEN Richard B.
Myers, USAF, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. YUCCA MOUNTAIN REPOSITORY
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on
BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 Energy and Air Quality held a hearing entitled
‘‘Funding Options for the Yucca Mountain Reposi-
Committee on Armed Servcies: Subcommittee on Projec- tory Program.’’ Testimony was heard from Rep-
tion Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 resentatives Berkley and Porter; Theodore J. Garrish,
National Defense Authorization budget request— Deputy Director, Office of Strategy and Program
The Navy’s Future Fleet: Assessing the Strength of Development, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste
Today’s Navy for Tomorrow. Testimony was heard Management, Department of Energy; and a public
from the following officials of the Department of the witness.
Navy: John J. Young, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Re-
search, Development and Acquisition; VADM Joseph DIGITAL TV TRANSITION
A. Sestak, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Oper- Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on
ations, Warfare Requirements and Programs; VADM Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing
Lewis W. Crenshaw, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of entitled ‘‘Preparing Consumers for the End of the
Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements and As- Digital Television Transition.’’ Testimony was heard
sessments; LTG Robert Magnus, USMC, Deputy from public witnesses.
Commandant, Programs and Resources, U.S. Marine
Corps; and LTG James N. Mattis, USMC, Com- OVERSIGHT—RURAL HOUSING SERVICE
manding General, Marine Corps Combat Develop- Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on
ment Command; and Ronald O’Rourke, Specialist in Housing and Community Opportunity held an over-
National Defense, CRS, Library of Congress. sight hearing of the Rural Housing Service, includ-
ing the Service’s budget request for fiscal year
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION 2006.’’ Testimony was heard from Russell T. Davis,
BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 Administrator, Rural Housing Service, USDA; and
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Ter- William B. Shear, Director, GAO.
rorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities
held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National De- FANNIE MAE MORTGAGE REPURCHASES
fense Authorization budget request—Defense Science Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on
and Technology in support of the War on Terrorism, Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled
and Beyond. Testimony was heard from the fol- ‘‘Due Diligence in Mortgage Repurchases and
lowing officials of the Department of Defense: Ron- Fannie: The First Beneficial Case.’’ Testimony was
ald M. Sega, Director, Defense Research and Engi- heard from the following officials of the Department
neering; James A. Tegnelia, Director, Defense Threat of Housing and Urban Development: Kenneth M.
Reduction Agency; Anthony J. Tether, Director, De- Donohue, Sr., Inspector General; John P. Kennedy,
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March 10, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D223
2006 Budget Request of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife L. Cardin; Walid Phares, Florida Atlantic University,
Service; and NOAA. Testimony was heard from Boca Raton, on behalf of the Foundation for the De-
VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., (Ret.), Under fense of Democracies; Farid N. Ghadry, Reform
Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Depart- Party of Syria, Ilan Berman, American Foreign Pol-
ment of Commerce; and Steven A. Williams, Direc- icy Council, and Steven Emerson, The Investigative
tor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Project, all of Washington, D.C.; and Entifadh K.
the Interior. Qanbar, United Iraqi Alliance, Baghdad, Iraq.
OVERSIGHT—AGENCY BUDGET BUDGETS
AND PRIORITIES LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATIONS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Sub- Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
committee on Water Resources and Environment concluded joint hearings with the House Committee
held an oversight hearing on Agency Budgets and on Veterans’ Affairs to examine legislative presen-
Priorities for Fiscal Year 2006, with emphasis on tations of certain veterans organizations, after receiv-
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the TVA, Natural ing testimony from Robert N. Lichtenberger, Mili-
Resources Conservation Service and Saint Lawrence tary Order of the Purple Heart, Springfield, Vir-
Seaway Development Corporation. Testimony was ginia; Randy L. Pleva, Sr., Paralyzed Veterans of
heard from from the following officials of the De- America, Louis Abramson, Jewish War Veterans, and
partment of the Army: John Paul Woodley, Jr., Neil Appleby, Blinded Veterans Association, all of
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (Civil Works); Washington, D.C.; and H. Gene Overstreet, Non-
and LTG Carl A. Strock, USA, Chief of Engineers, Commissioned Officers Association, San Antonio,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Glenn L. Texas.
McCullough, Jr., Chairman, TVA; Albert S. Jacquez, f
Administrator, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development
Corporation, Department of Transportation; and a COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY,
public witness. MARCH 11, 2005
BUDGET BRIEFING AND HEARING (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
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Congressional Record
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