[Congressional Record: November 9, 1999 (Digest)] [Page D1282-D1285] From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:cr09no99-2] House of Representatives Chamber Action Bills Introduced: 28 public bills, H.R. 3261-3288; 1 private bill, H.R. 3289; and 11 resolutions, H.J. Res. 77-78, H. Con. Res. 221-224, and H. Res. 368-372, were introduced. Pages H11852-53 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Conference report on H.R. 1554, to amend the provisions of title 17, United States Code, and the Communications Act of 1934, relating to copyright licensing and carriage of broadcast signals by satellite (H. Rept. 106-464). Pages H11769-H11818, H11852 Guest Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rabbi Joel Kessler of Potomac, Maryland. Page H11712 Recess: The House recessed at 9:38 a.m. and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Page H11712 Waiving Enrollment Requirements: The House passed H.J. Res. 76, waiving certain enrollment requirements for the remainder of the first session of the One Hundred Sixth Congress with respect to any bill or joint resolution making general appropriations or continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2000. Subsequently, H. Res. 365, a rule to provide consideration of the joint resolution was laid on the table. Pages H11716-17 Honoring the National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 205, recognizing and honoring the heroic efforts of the Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing and its rescue of Dr. Jerri Nielsen from the South Pole. Pages H11717-18 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Restoring Certain Lands to Elim Native Corporation: H.R. 3090, amended, to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to restore certain lands to the Elim Native Corporation; Pages H11718-20 Aquatic Restoration Projects: H.R. 1444, amended, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to develop and implement projects for fish screens, fish passage devices, and other similar measures to mitigate adverse impacts associated with irrigation system water diversions by local governmental entities in the [[Page D1283]] States of Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and California. Agreed to amend the title; Pages H11720-22 Plaque Commemorating Martin Luther King's ``I Have a Dream'' Speech at the Lincoln Memorial: H.R. 2879, to provide for the placement at the Lincoln Memorial of a plaque commemorating the speech of Martin Luther King, Jr., known as the ``I Have A Dream'' speech; Pages H11722-23 Trafficking of Baby Body Parts: H. Res. 350, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to private companies involved in the trafficking of baby body parts for profit; Pages H11723-28 Veterans Benefits Improvement Act: H. Res. 368, providing for the concurrence by the House with amendments in the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 2280, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a cost- of-living adjustment in rates of compensation paid for service- connected disabilities, to enhance the compensation, memorial affairs, and housing programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to improve retirement authorities applicable to judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; Pages H11728-29 Printing of Brochures on the United States Government: H. Con. Res. 221, authorizing printing of the brochures entitled ``How Our Laws Are Made'' and ``Our American Government'', the pocket version of the United States Constitution, and the document-sized, annotated version of the United States Constitution; Pages H11729-30 Honesty in Sweepstakes: S. 335, amended, to amend Chapter 30 of title 39, United States Code, to provide for the nonmailability of certain deceptive matter relating to sweepstakes, skill contests, facsimile checks, administrative procedures, orders, and civil penalties relating to such matter; Pages H11818-25 Celebrating the Fall of the Berlin Wall: H. Con. Res. 223, expressing the sense of the Congress regarding Freedom Day (agreed to by yea and nay vote of 417 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 580); and Pages H11763-69, H11825-26 Satellite Home Viewer Act: Agreed to the Conference Report on H.R. 1554, to amend the provisions of title 17, United States Code, and the Communications Act of 1934, relating to copyright licensing and carriage of broadcast signals by satellite (agreed to by yea and nay vote of 411 yeas to 8 nays, Roll No. 581). Pages H11769-H11818, H11826-27 Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce: The House passed H.R. 1714, to facilitate the use of electronic records and signatures in interstate or foreign commerce (passed by a recorded vote of 356 ayes to 66 noes, Roll No. 579). Pages H11732-55, H11762-63 Agreed to the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record of November 8 and numbered 1, as amended, pursuant to the rule. Pages H11741-55 Agreed to the Inslee amendment that requires affirmative consent to receive electronic records; allows the consumer to retain the records and withdraw consent as desired; and clarifies that provisions do not affect any disclosures required under regulation or law by a recorded vote of 418 ayes to 2 noes, Roll No. 577. Pages H11743-49 Rejected the Dingell amendment in the nature of a substitute that sought to recognize the validity of electronic signatures and records in commercial transactions by a recorded vote of 126 ayes to 278 noes, Roll No. 578. Pages H11749-55 H. Res. 336, the rule that provided for consideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote. Pages H11731-32 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000: The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 1555, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2000 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. Pages H11755-62 The conference report was considered pursuant to a unanimous consent request made earlier by Representative Dreier; and H. Res. 364, a rule to waive points of order against the conference report was laid on the table. Page H11716 Making Continuing Appropriations: The House passed H.J. Res. 78, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2000. Pages H11828-29 The joint resolution was considered pursuant to a unanimous consent request made earlier by Chairman Young of Florida. Page H11828 Consideration of Suspensions: Pursuant to H. Res. 353, providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules, Mr. Lazio announced that the following measures would be considered under suspension of the rules on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1999: H. Res. 41, H.R. 1869, H.R. 2336, H.R. 2442, H. Con. Res. 122, H.R. 3234, and H.R. 2454. Page H11828 Presidential Messages: Read the following messages from the President: National Emergency Re Iran: Message wherein he transmitted his report on the national emergency [[Page D1284]] with respect to Iran--referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed H. Doc. 106-156; and Page H11829 National Emergency Re Sudan: Message wherein he transmitted his report on the national emergency with respect to Iran--referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed H. Doc. 106- 157. Page H11830 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate appear on pages H11712 and H11763. Referrals: S. 923, S. Con. Res. 30, and S. Con. Res. 68 were referred to the Committee on International Relations; S. 1398 was referred to the Committee on Resources; and S. 1809 was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Page H11851 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea and nay votes and three recorded votes developed during the proceedings of the House today and appear on pages H11749, H11754-55, H11762, H11826, and H11826-27. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 12:00 p.m. Committee Meetings HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE AVAILABILITY ACT Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Began markup of H.R. 21, Homeowners' Insurance Availability Act of 1999. MEDICAID FRAUD AND ABUSE Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on Medicaid Fraud and Abuse: Assessing State and Federal Responses. Testimony was heard from Leslie Aronovitz, Director, Chicago Field Office, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: John E. Hartwig, Deputy Inspector General, Inspections; and Penny Thompson, Medicare Program Integrity Group, Health Care Financing Administration; John Krayniak, Director, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Division of Criminal Justice, State of New Jersey; Mark Fecteau, Assistant Director, Bureau of Medical Services, Department of Human Services, State of Maine; and public witnesses. FORCE PROTECTION Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans' Affairs and International Relations held a hearing on Force Protection: Improving Safeguards for Administration of Investigational New Drugs to Members of the Armed Forces. Testimony was heard from John Spotila, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; Sue Bailey, Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs, Department of Defense; William Raub, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Science Policy, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; U.S. POLICY TOWARD HAITI Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3244, to combat trafficking of persons, especially into the sex trade, slavery, and slavery-like conditions in the United States and countries around the world through prevention, through prosecution and enforcement against traffickers, and through protection and assistance to victims of trafficking. The Committee also favorably considered the following resolutions and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that they be considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 165, expressing United States policy toward the Slovak Republic; H. Con. Res. 169, amended, expressing United States policy toward Romania; H. Con. Res. 206, amended, expressing grave concern regarding armed conflict in the North Caucasus region of the Russian Federation which has resulted in civilian casualties and internally displaced persons, and urging all sides to pursue dialog for peaceful resolution of the conflict; H. Con. Res. 222, Condemning the assassination of Armenian Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian and other officials of the Armenian Government and expressing the sense of the Congress in mourning this tragic loss of the duly elected leadership of Armenia; H. Con. Res. 211, expressing the strong support of the Congress for the recently concluded elections in the Republic of India and urging the President to travel to India; and H. Con. Res. 200, amended, expressing the strong opposition of Congress to the military coup in Pakistan and calling for a civilian, democratically-elected government to be returned to power in Pakistan. The Committee also held a hearing on U.S. Policy Toward Haiti. Testimony was heard from Senators DeWine and Graham; Representatives Goss and Conyers; and Ambassador Peter Romero, Acting Assistant Secretary, Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation approved for full Committee action the following: GSA's Fiscal Year 2000 leasing program; 17 resolutions, including 2 11(b) resolutions; and H.R. 809, amended, Federal Protective Service Reform Act of 1999. [[Page D1285]] WAGE AND EMPLOYMENT GROWTH ACT; ADMINISTRATION'S NEW SOCIAL SECURITY PLAN Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3081, Wage and Employment Growth Act of 1999. The Committee also held a hearing on the Administration's new Social Security plan. Testimony was heard from Lawrence H. Summers, Secretary of the Treasury; David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and Dan L. Crippen, Director, CBO. Joint Meetings VETERANS' MILLENNIUM HEALTH CARE ACT Conferees continued in evening session to resolve the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 2116, to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a program of extended care services for veterans and to make other improvements in health care programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. F NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D1276) H.R. 1175, to locate and secure the return of Zachary Baumel, an American citizen, and other Israeli soldiers missing in action. Signed November 8, 1999. (P.L. 106-89) H.J. Res. 62, to grant the consent of Congress to the boundary change between Georgia and South Carolina. Signed November 8, 1999. (P.L. 106-90) F COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1999 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations, to hold hearings to examine the work of the overseas presence review panel, 2 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Governmental Affairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to hold hearings to examine the vulnerabilities of United States private banks to money laundering, 1 p.m., SD-628. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider pending calendar business, Time to be announced, Room to be announced. Full Committee, to hold hearings on pending nominations, 10 a.m., SD- 226. House Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Military Procurement, hearing on the results of the Department of Energy's Inspector General inquiries into specific aspects of the espionage investigations at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Banking and Financial Services, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Securities and Government Sponsored Enterprises, hearing on Capital Formation in Underserved Areas, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, to consider the following: a committee draft report entitled: ``The FALN and Macheteros Clemency: Misleading Explanations, A Reckless Decision, A Dangerous Message''; a resolution of Immunity for Yah Lin ``Charlies'' Trie; H.R. 2376, to require agencies to establish expedited review procedures for granting a waiver to a State under a grant program administered by the agency if another State has already been granted a similar waiver by the agency under such program; and H.R. 1827, Government Waste Corrections Act of 1999, 10:30 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on International Relations, hearing on European Common Foreign, Security and Defense Policies-Implications for the United States and the Atlantic Alliance, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, to consider the following: S. 613, Indian Tribal Economic Development and Contract Encouragement Act of 1999; H.R. 701, Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999; H.R. 1680, to provide for the conveyance of Forest Service property in Kern County, California, in exchange for county lands suitable for inclusion in Sequoia National Forest; H.R. 1749, to designate Wilson Creek in Avery and Caldwell Counties, North Carolina, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; H.R. 1953, to authorize leases for terms not to exceed 99 years on land held in trust for the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians and the Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians of the Guidiville Indian Rancheria; H.R. 2278, to require the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study regarding options for the protection and expanded visitor enjoyment of nationally significant natural and cultural resources at Fort Hunter Liggett, California; H.R. 2484, to provide that land which is owned by the Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota but which is not held in trust by the United States for the Community may be leased or transferred by the Community without further approval by the United States; H.R. 3051, to direct the Secretary of the Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct a feasibility study on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in the State of New Mexico; and the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999, 11 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans, oversight hearing on the role of the NOAA's fleet in the recovery of data from marine airline crash sites in the Atlantic Ocean, 9:30 a.m., 1334 Longworth. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to consider the following: General Services Administration's Fiscal Year 2000 leasing program; 2 11 (b) resolutions; H.R. 809, Federal Protective Service Reform Act of 1999; H.R. 728, Small Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of 1999; the Middle Deep Red Run Creek Small Watershed Project; H.R. 1775, Estuary Habitat Restoration Partnership Act of 1999; H.R. 3039, Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act of 1999; Corps of Engineers Survey Resolutions; and other pending business, 10:30 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, hearing on corporate tax shelters, 11 a.m., 1100 Longworth.