Congress
Today in Congress: March 20, 2007
Reuters
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THE SENATE
The Senate is in session.
Committees
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (10 a.m.): Retirement and Aging Subcommittee holds a hearing on “The State of Alzheimer's Research: 100 Years Later.” Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association; Marilyn Albert, Alzheimer's Association board member, director of the Division of Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center; Samuel Gandy, professor and director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University and chairman of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council of the Alzheimer's Association; Marilyn Blum, caregiver in Owings Mills, Md.; and Robert Egge, project director at the Center for Health Transformation, testify. 216 Hart.
Senate Foreign Relations (10 a.m.): African Affairs Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Chad and the Central African Republic: The Regional Impact of the Darfur Crisis.” James Swan, deputy assistant secretary for African affairs at the State Department; Jane Holl Lute, assistant UN secretary general for peacekeeping operations; Ken Bacon, president of Refugees International; and John Prendergast, senior adviser to the International Crisis Group, testify. 419 Dirksen.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (2:30 p.m.): National Parks Subcommittee holds a hearing on S.126 to modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park; S.257 to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of establishing the Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area in the States of Washington and Oregon; S.289 to establish the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area; S.443 to establish the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in Colorado; S.444, to establish the South Park National Heritage Area in Colorado; S.500 and H.R.512, to establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of the National Museum of the American Latino to develop a plan of action to establish a National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C.; S.637, to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Chattahoochee Trace National Heritage Corridor in Alabama and Georgia; S.817 to provide additional authorizations for certain National heritage areas; and S.Con.Res.6, expressing the sense of Congress that the National Museum of Wildlife Art, located in Jackson, Wyoming, should be designated as the “National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States.” Daniel Wenk, deputy director for operations in the National Park Service; Moctesuma Esparza, producer and filmmaker; Dan Sakura, director of government relations at The Conservation Fund; Jerry Ostermiller, president of the Columbia River Maritime Museum; August Carlino, president and CEO of the Rivers of Stell National Heritage Area; Dennis Lopez, acting chairman of the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area; and Gary Nichols, director of Park County Tourism and Community Development, testify. 366 Dirksen.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (10 a.m.): Holds a hearing on the nomination of Stephen Isakowitz to be chief financial officer of the Energy Department. The nominee testifies. 366 Dirksen.
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (2:30 p.m.): Science, Technology and Innovation Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Energy Innovation.” Bill Prindle, acting executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy; Michael Eckhart, president of the American Council on Renewable Energy; Jim Katzer, visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Laboratory for Energy and the Environment; K.R. Sridhar, CEO of Bloom Energy; and Francis Preli Jr., vice president of engineering at UTC Power, LLC, testify. 253 Russell.
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (10 a.m.): Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Promoting Travel to America: An Examination of Economic and Safety Concerns, Part II.” Homeland Security Private Sector Office Assistant Secretary Alfonso Martinez-Fonts Jr. testifies. 253 Russell.
House Armed Services (9:30 a.m.): Holds a hearing on the U.S. Air Force in review of the FY2008 defense authorization request. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley, testify. 325 Russell.
Senate Appropriations (10 a.m.): Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee holds a hearing on the FY2008 Interior Department budget. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne testifies. 124 Dirksen.
Senate (Select) Intelligence (2:30 p.m.): Holds a closed hearing on the FY2008 signals and imagery intelligence budget. 219 Hart.
Senate Judiciary (2:15 p.m.): Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Subcommittee holds a hearing on “The XM-Sirius Merger: Monopoly or Competition from New Technologies?” Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio, New York, N.Y.; Mary Quass, president and CEO of NRG Media, LLC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; David Balto, attorney at law in the Law Office of David Balto; and Gigi Sohn, president of Public Knowledge, testify. 226 Dirksen.
Senate Judiciary (9:30 a.m.): Holds a hearing on ”Combating War Profiteering: Are We Doing Enough to Investigate and Prosecute Contracting Fraud and Abuse in Iraq?” Stuart Bowen, special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction; Acting Defense Department Inspector General Thomas Gimble; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Barry Sabin of the Criminal Division, testify. 226 Dirksen.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (2:30 p.m.): Investigations Subcommittee holds a hearing on ”Medicare Doctors Who Cheat On Their Taxes And What Should Be Done About It.” Gregory Kutz, managing director and John Ryan, assistant director of the Forensic Audits and Special Investigations Unit at the Government Accountability Office; IRS Commissioner Mark Everson; Kenneth Papaj, commissioner of the Treasury Department's Financial Management Service; Leslie Norwalk, acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Timothy Hill, CFO and director of the Office of Financial Management at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, testify. 342 Dirksen.
Senate Finance (10 a.m.): Holds a hearing on ”Realizing a Competitive Education: Identifying Needs, Partnerships and Resources.” Former Gov. Bob Wise (D-W.Va.), president of the Alliance for Excellent Education; Jane Karas, president of Flathead Valley Community College, Kalispell, Mont.; William Green, CEO of Accenture, Boston, Mass.; Gregg Taylor, vice president for programs, youth, and education at the Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek, Mich.; Patty Myers, teacher at Lewis and Clark Elementary, Great Falls, Mont.; and Steven Paine, state superintendent in the West Virginia Department of Education, East Charleston, W.Va., testify. 215 Dirksen.
THE HOUSE
The House is in session.
Committees
House Appropriations (10 a.m.): Homeland Security Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Determining Critical Infrastructure and How to Protect It.” Homeland Security Undersecretary for National Protection and Programs Directorate George Foresman; Assistant Homeland Security Secretary for Infrastructure Protection Robert Stephan; Assistant Homeland Security Secretary for Cyber Security and Communications Gregory Garcia; Eileen Larence, director of homeland security and justice issues at the Government Accountability Office and David Powner, director of IT management issues at the Government Accountability Office, testify. 2358 Rayburn.
House Appropriations (2 p.m.): HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS -- 2 p.m. -- holds a hearing on International Trade Administration and Bureau of Industry Security. Commerce Undersecretary for International Trade Franklin Lavin; and Acting Commerce Undersecretary Mark Foulon of the Bureau of Industry and Security, testify. H-310, U.S. Capitol.
House Ways and Means (10 a.m.): Oversight Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Internal Revenue Service Operations and the Tax Gap.” IRS Commissioner Mark Everson testifies. 1100 Longworth.
House Armed Services (10 a.m.): Strategic Forces Subcommittee holds a hearing on the “FY2008 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Energy Department's Atomic Energy Defense Activities.” National Nuclear Security Administrator Thomas D'Agostino; Assistant Energy Secretary for Environmental Management James Rispoli; and Glenn Podonsky, director of the Office of Health, Safety and Security at the Energy Department, testify. 2212 Rayburn.
House Energy and Commerce (2:30 p.m.): Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee holds a markup of H.R.518, the “International Solid Waste Importation and Management Act of 2007.” 2123 Rayburn.
House Foreign Affairs (9:30 a.m.): Holds a hearing on “Proposed Legislation on Iraq.” Members of Congress testify. 2172 Rayburn.
House Homeland Security (10 a.m.): Holds a hearing on “Organizational and Policy Proposals for the FY2008 Department of Homeland Security Authorization: Positioning US-VISIT for Success and Establishing a Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Process.” Homeland Security Undersecretary for Preparedness George Foresman and US-VISIT Director Bob Mocny, testify. 311 Cannon.
House Foreign Affairs (2 p.m.): International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Welcome to America?” Geoff Freeman, executive director of The Discover America Partnership; Charles Merin, president of the Travel Business Roundtable; and Peter Gadiel, president of 9/11 Families for a Secure America, testify. 2172 Rayburn.
House (Select) Intelligence (1 p.m.): Holds a closed hearing on “Signals Intelligence.” H-405, U.S. Capitol.
House Judiciary (2 p.m.): Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subcommittee holds a hearing on the “Second Chance Act.” Witnesses TBA. 2141 Rayburn.
House Oversight and Government Reform (2 p.m.): Government Management, Organization, and Procurement Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Federal Financial Statements for FY2006: Fiscal Outlook, Management Weaknesses and Consequences.” Homeland Security Chief Financial Officer David Norquist and others testify. 2154 Rayburn.
House Transportation and Infrastructure (2 p.m.): Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Post-Katrina Temporary Housing Dilemmas and Solutions.” Witnesses TBA. 2167 Rayburn.
House Transportation and Infrastructure (10 a.m.): Highways and Transit Subcommittee holds a hearing on ”Motorcoach Safety.” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator John Hill; National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark Rosenker; Chris Crean, director of safety and security for Peter Pan Bus Lines in Springfield, Mass.; Brian Scott, president of Escot Bus Lines in Largo, Florida; Bruce Hamilton, president/business agent of ATU National Local 1700 in New York; and Jacqueline Gillan, vice president of Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety, testify. 2167 Rayburn.
House Science and Technology (10:30 a.m.): Research and Science Education Subcommittee holds a hearing on the ”National Science Foundation Reauthorization, Part 1.” National Science Foundation Director Arden Bement and National Science Board Chairman Steven Beering, testify. 2318 Rayburn.
House Natural Resources (2 p.m.): Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Toward a Clean Energy Future: Energy Policy and Climate Change on Public Lands.” United States Geological Survey Director Mark Myers; Deborah Williams, president of Alaska Conservation Solutions; Anthony Westerling, associate professor of Sierra Nevada Research Institute at the University of California, Merced; Auden Schendler, executive director of community and environmental responsibility at the Aspen Skiing Company; Noah Matson, director of the Federal Lands Program of the Defenders of Wildlife; Timothy Ball, consultant Natural Resources Stewardship Project; and Robert Murray, chairman of Murray Energy Corporation, testify. 1334 Longworth.
House Judiciary (9:30 a.m.): Holds a hearing on “The Inspector General's Independent Report on the FBI's Use of National Security Letters.” Witnesses TBA. 2141 Rayburn.
House Homeland Security (3 p.m.): Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee holds a hearing on ”Crossing the Border: Immigrants in Detention and Victims of Trafficking.” (PART TWO) Immigration and Customs Enforcement Unit Chief for Human Smuggling and Trafficking Gabriel Garcia testifies. 311 Cannon.
House Financial Services (1 p.m.): Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology Subcommittee holds a hearing on “The Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act.” Witnesses TBA. 2128 Rayburn.
House Energy and Commerce (10 a.m.): Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Climate Change: Perspectives of Utility CEOs.” Michael Morris, chairman, president and CEO of American Electric Power, Columbus, Ohio; James Rogers, president and CEO of the Duke Energy Corporation, Charlotte, N.C.; Jackson Reasor, president and CEO of Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, Glen Allen, Va.; Jeffry Sterba, chairman, president and CEO of PNM Resources, Inc., Albuquerque, N.M.; David Sokol, chairman and CEO of the MidAmerican Corporation, Omaha, N.D.; and Milton Lee, general manager and CEO of CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas, testify. 2 123 Rayburn.
House Armed Services (2 p.m.): Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee holds a hearing on “U.S. Shipyard Modernization Initiatives and Ship Cost Reduction.” Deputy Assistant Navy Secretary for Ship Programs Allison Stiller; Navy Rear Adm. Charles Goddard, program executive officer for ships; Navy Rear Adm. David Architzel, program executive officer for carriers; Navy Rear Adm. William Hilirades, program executive officer for submarines; Cynthia Brown, president of the American Shipbuilding Association; Phillip Teel, president of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems; and Mike Toner, executive vice president of the Marine Systems Group at General Dynamics, testify. 2212 Rayburn.
House Armed Services (4:30 p.m.): Meets to markup H.R.1538, the “Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007.” 2118 Rayburn.
House Appropriations (9:30 a.m.): Military Construction, Veterans Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee holds a hearing on Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission. Phil Grone, deputy under secretary of Defense for installations and environment; Keith Eastin, assistant secretary of the Army for installations and environment; B.J. Penn, assistant secretary of the Navy for installations and environment; and William Anderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics, testify. H-143, U.S. Capitol.
House Appropriations (10 a.m.): Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee holds a hearing on worker protection agencies. Assistant Labor Secretary Victoria Lipnic of the Employment Standards Administration; Acting Assistant Laqbor Secretary Bradford Campbell of the Employee Benefits Security Administration; Assistant Labor Secretary, Edwin Foulke of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; and Deputy Labor Undersecretary James Carter of the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, testify. 2359 Rayburn.
House Appropriations (10 a.m.): Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee holds a hearing on Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). EEOC Chairman Naomi Earp testifies. H-310, U.S. Capitol.
House Appropriations (10 a.m.): Energy and Water Development Subcommittee holds a hearing on energy supply conservation, fossil energy, energy electricity delivery, and energy reliability. Assistant Energy Secretary for Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Alexander Karsner; Assistant Energy Secretary for Fossil Energy Thomas Shope; and Kevin Kolevar, director of Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability, testify. 2362-B Rayburn.
House Appropriations (9:30 a.m.): Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee holds a hearing on the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. National Endowment for the Humanities Chairman Bruce Cole; and National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia, testify. B-308 Rayburn.
House Appropriations (1:30 p.m.): Legislative Branch Subcommittee holds a hearing on the “Future of Digital Libraries.” Librarian of Congress James Billington; Jo Ann Jenkins, COO of the Office of the Librarian of Congress; Associate Librarian for Library Services Deanna Marcum; Associate Librarian for Strategic Initiatives Laura Campbell; Law Librarian Rubens Medina; Register of Copyrights Marybeth Peters; and Congressional Research Service Director Daniel Mulhollan, testfify. H-144, U.S. Capitol.
House Appropriations (1:30 p.m.): Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee holds a hearing on the Veterans Affairs Department's long-term health care and nursing home care. Acting VA Undersecretary for Health Michael Kussman testifies. H-143, U.S. Capitol.
House Armed Services (1 p.m.): Readiness Subcommittee holds a hearing on the “FY2008 National Defense Authorization Budget Requests for Military Construction, Family Housing, Base Closures and Facilities' Operations and Maintenance.” Deputy Defense Undersecretary for Installations and Environment Philip Grone; Assistant Army Secretary for Installations and Environment Keith Eastin; Assistant Navy Secretary for Installations and Environment B.J. Penn; and Assistant Air Force Secretary for Installations, Environment and Logistics William Anderson, testify. 2118 Rayburn.
House Ways and Means (2 p.m.): Trade Subcommittee holds a hearing on “U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement Negotiations.” Witnesses TBA. 1100 Longworth.
House Appropriations (1 p.m.): Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Research, Education and Economics.” Agriculture Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics Gale Buchanan testifies. 2362-A Rayburn.
