[Congressional Record: October 8, 1998 (Digest)] [Page D1131-D1135] From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:cr08oc98-2] House of Representatives Chamber Action Bills Introduced: 24 public bills, H.R. 4732-4755; and 14 resolutions, H.J. Res. 132, H. Con. Res. 336-345, and H. Res. 583, 585, 587, were introduced. Pages H10075-77 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Conference report on H.R. 2281, to amend title 17, United States Code, to implement the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty and Performances and Phonograms Treaty (H. Rept. 105- 796); Report in the matter of Representative Jay Kim (H. Rept. 105-797); H. Res. 580, providing for consideration of H.R. 4274, making appropriations for the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999 (H. Rept. 105-798); H. Res. 586, waiving points of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 3150, to amend title 11 of the United States Code (H. Rept. 105-799); Conference report on H.R. 1853, to amend the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act (H. Rept. 105-800); H.R. 3888, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to improve the protection of consumers against ``slamming'' by telecommunications carriers, amended (H. Rept. 105-801); H.R. 4353, to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 to improve the competitiveness of American business and promote foreign commerce (H. Rept. 105-802); Pages H10032-75 Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal of Wednesday, October 7 by a yea and nay vote of 325 yeas to 72 nays with 9 voting ``present'', Roll No. 495. Pages H10013-14 Recess: The House recessed at 10:23 a.m. and reconvened at 10:55 a.m. Pages H10014-15 Impeachment Resolution: The House agreed to H. Res. 581, authorizing and directing the Committee on the Judiciary to investigate whether sufficient grounds exist for the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, by a recorded vote of 258 ayes to 176 noes, Roll No. 498. Pages H10015-32 (continued next issue) Rejected the Boucher motion to recommit the resolution to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report the resolution back with an amendment to strike the first section and insert provisions to conduct an inquiry and if appropriate to act upon the Referral from the Independent Counsel; to review the constitutional standard for impeachment; and investigate whether sufficient grounds exist for the House to exercise its constitutional power to impeach the President. Following the conclusion of its inquiry the Committee shall make its recommendations sufficiently in advance of December 31, 1998 for the House to consider them (rejected by a yea and nay vote of 198 yeas to 236 nays, Roll No. 497). (See next issue.) Hand-Enrollment Resolution: The House passed H.J. Res. 131, waiving certain enrollment requirements for the remainder of the One Hundred Fifth Congress with respect to any bill or joint resolution making general or continuing appropriations for fiscal year 1999. (See next issue.) H. Res. 580, the rule that provided for consideration of joint resolution, was agreed to by voice vote. (See next issue.) Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Congressional Medal of Honor to Theodore Roosevelt: H.R. 2263, to authorize and request the President to award the congressional Medal of Honor posthumously to Theodore Roosevelt for his gallant and heroic actions in the attack on San Juan Heights, Cuba, during the Spanish- American War; (See next issue.) Science Policy Report: H. Res. 578, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the print of the Committee on Science entitled ``Unlocking Our Future: Toward a New National [[Page D1132]] Science Policy'' should serve as a framework for future deliberations on congressional science policy and funding; (See next issue.) International Child Labor Relief: H.R. 4506, amended, to provide for United States support for developmental alternatives for underage child workers; (See next issue.) Providing Rewards for Information: H.R. 4660, amended, to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of any individual for the commission of an act, or conspiracy to act, of international terrorism, narcotics related offenses, or for serious violations of international humanitarian law relating to the Former Yugoslavia. Agreed to amend the title; (See next issue.) Condemning Forced Abduction of Ugandan Children: H. Con. Res. 309, amended, condemning the forced abduction of Ugandan children and their use as soldiers; (See next issue.) Veterans Employment Opportunities: S. 1021, to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that consideration may not be denied to preference eligibles applying for certain positions in the competitive service--clearing the measure for the President; (See next issue.) Federal Employee Life Insurance Programs: Agreed to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2675, to require that the Office of Personnel Management submit proposed legislation under which group universal life insurance and group variable universal life insurance would be available under chapter 87 of title 5, United States Code--clearing the measure for the President; (See next issue.) Recognizing Importance of Children and Families: H. Con. Res. 302, recognizing the importance of children and families in the United States and expressing support for the goals of National Kids Day and National Family Month; (See next issue.) Campaign Finance Sunshine: H.R. 2109, to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require reports filed under such Act to be filed electronically and to require the Federal Election Commission to make such reports available to the public within 24 hours of receipt; (See next issue.) Coats Human Services Reauthorization: Conference report on S. 2206, A bill to amend the Head Start Act, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and the Community Services Block Grant Act to reauthorize and make improvements to those Acts, to establish demonstration projects that provide an opportunity for persons with limited means to accumulate assets--clearing the measure for the President; (See next issue.) Granting Consent to the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority Compact: S.J. Res. 51, granting the consent of Congress to the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority Compact entered into between the States of Maryland and West Virginia--clearing the measure for the President; (See next issue.) Depository Institution Regulatory Streamlining: H.R. 4364, amended, to streamline the regulation of depository institutions, to safeguard confidential banking and credit union supervisory information; and (See next issue.) Fair Credit Reporting Act: S. 2561, to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act with respect to furnishing and using consumer reports for employment--clearing the measure for the President. (See next issue.) Suspensions--Votes Postponed: The House completed debate and postponed votes on the following measures until October 9: Importance of Mammograms and Biopsies: H. Res. 565, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of mammograms and biopsies in the fight against breast cancer; (See next issue.) Concerning the Inadequacy of Sewage Infrastructure: H. Con. Res. 331, expressing the sense of Congress concerning the inadequacy of sewage infrastructure facilities in Tijuana, Mexico; (See next issue.) Efforts to Identify Holocaust-era Assets: H. Res. 557, expressing support for U. S. government efforts to identify Holocaust-era assets, urging the restitution of individual and communal property; and (See next issue.) William F. Goodling Child Nutrition Act: Conference report on H.R. 3874, to amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to make improvements to the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children and to extend the authority of that program through fiscal year 2003. (See next issue.) Labor, HHS Appropriations: The House began consideration of amendments to H.R. 4274, making appropriations for the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, by a vote of Roll No. (See next issue.) [[Page D1133]] Agreed To: The Istook substitute amendment to the Greenwood amendment to (agreed to by a recorded vote of 224 ayes to 200 noes, Roll No. 504); and (See next issue.) The Greenwood amendment, as amended, that prohibits title X funding to a family planning provider that knowingly provides contraceptives to a minor without the consent of a parent or legal guardian. (See next issue.) H. Res. 584, the rule that provided for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 214 ayes to 209 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 502. (See next issue.) Agreed to table the motion to reconsider the vote on final passage by a recorded vote of 230 ayes to 192 noes, Roll No. 503. (See next issue.) Earlier, agreed to order the previous question by a yea and nay vote of 224 yeas to 201 nays, Roll No. 500; and agreed to table the motion to reconsider ordering the previous question by a recorded vote of 231 ayes to 197 noes, Roll No. 501. (See next issue.) Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Obey motion to adjourn by a yea and nay vote of 58 yeas to 349 nays, Roll No. 499. (See next issue.) Presidential Veto Message--Agriculture Appropriations: Read a message from the President wherein he announces his veto of H.R. 4101, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and explains his reasons therefore--referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 105- 321). (See next issue.) Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site: The House passed S. 2232, to establish the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in the State of Arkansas--clearing the measure for the President. (See next issue.) Federal Properties in Dutch John, Utah: The House passed S. 890, to dispose of certain Federal properties located in Dutch John, Utah, to assist the local government in the interim delivery of basic services to the Dutch John community--clearing the measure for the President. (See next issue.) Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act: Agreed to the conference report on H.R. 1853, to amend the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act--clearing the measure for the President. (See next issue.) Senate Messages: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H10014. Referrals: Senate measures referred to House committees appear on pages H10074-75. Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on pages H10077-81. Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea and nay votes and three recorded votes developed during the proceedings of the House today and appear on pages H10013-14 (continued next issue). There was one quorum call (Roll No. 496). Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 1:40 a.m. on Friday, October 9. Committee Meetings U.S. TRADE ISSUES WITH CANADA Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities held a hearing on current U.S. trade issues with Canada. Testimony was heard from Representative Hill; and public witnesses. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION--REVIEW BUDGET--ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Crops held a hearing on Review of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's FY 2000 Budget and Annual Performance Plan. Testimony was heard from Brooksley Born, Chairperson, Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and Richard J. Hillman, Acting Associate Director, Financial Institutions and Markets Issues, General Government Division, GAO. WILL JUMBO EURO NOTES THREATEN THE GREENBACK? Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy held a hearing on Will Jumbo Euro Notes Threaten the Greenback? Testimony was heard from Theodore E. Allison, Assistant to the Board, System Affairs, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; and Gary Gensler, Assistant Secretary, Financial Markets, Department of the Treasury. SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT AMENDMENTS IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a hearing on the Implementation of the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments. Testimony was heard from the following officials of EPA: J. Charles Fox, Acting Assistant Administrator, Water; and Cynthia C. Dougherty, Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water; and public witnesses. [[Page D1134]] DOE'S HANFORD RADIOACTIVE TANK WASTE PRIVATIZATION CONTRACT Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on A Review of the Department of Energy's Hanford Radioactive Tank Waste Privatization Contract. Testimony was heard from Representative Hastings of Washington; Gary L. Jones, Associate Director, Energy, Resources and Science Issues, Resources, Community and Economic Development Division, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Energy: Ernest J. Moniz, Under Secretary; James M. Owendoff, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Environmental Restoration; John Wagoner, Manager, Richland Operations Office; and Walter S. Howes, Director, Contract Reform and Privatization; and public witnesses. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION--YEAR 2000 PROBLEM Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on the Year 2000 Problem at the Department of Education, Part II. Testimony was heard from Joel Willemssen, Director, Information Resources Management, Accounting and Information Management Division, GAO; and Marshall S. Smith, Acting Deputy Secretary, Department of Education; and the following officials of the Corporation for National and Community Service: Wendy Zenker, Chief Operating Officer; and William Anderson, Assistant Inspector General, Audit. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES AND REPORTS Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Ordered reported amended the following bills: H.R. 4523, Lorton Technical Corrections Act of 1998; and H.R. 4566, District of Columbia Courts and Justice Technical Corrections Act of 1998. The Committee also approved the following draft reports entitled: ``Hepatitis C: Silent Epidemic, Mute Public Health Response;'' ``Medicare Home Health Services: No Surety in the Fight Against Fraud and Waste;'' ``The Year 2000 Problem;'' and ``Campaign Fundraising Improprieties and Other Possible Violations of Law.'' The Committee also approved the release of Depositions and Interrogatories. ASSESSING ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN POLICY Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Assessing the Administration's Foreign Policy: The Record After Six Years. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MODERNIZATION Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement and the Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint hearing on Department of Defense modernization. Testimony was heard from Jacques S. Gansler, Under Secretary, Acquisition and Technology, Department of Defense; Richard Davis, Director, National Security Analysis, National Security and International Affairs Division, GAO; and public witnesses. NAVY SHIP DONATION PROCEDURES Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement held a hearing on Navy ship donation procedures. Testimony was heard from Representative Andrews; Michael C. Hammes, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Research, Development and Acquisition), Department of the Navy; Joseph Azzolina, Assemblyman, State of New Jersey; and a public witness. CONFERENCE REPORT--BANKRUPTCY REFORM ACT Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 3150, Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1998, and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. Testimony was heard from Representatives Gekas, Nadler, and Jackson- Lee. LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 7 to 2, a rule providing for the further consideration of H.R. 4274, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, pursuant to H. Res. 564. The rule provides 1 hour of debate. The rule makes in order, before consideration of any other amendments, the amendments numbered 2 and 3 that were printed in the Rules Committee report (105-762) that accompanied H. Res. 564. FASTENER QUALITY ACT: NEEDED OR OUTDATED? Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing on the Fastener Quality Act: Needed or Outdated? Testimony was heard from Representative Manzullo; Raymond Kammer, Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. [[Page D1135]] Joint Meetings HUMAN SERVICES/HEAD START AUTHORIZATION Conferees on Tuesday, October 6, agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate- and House-passed versions of S. 2206, to amend the Head Start Act, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and the Community Services Block Grant Act to reauthorize and make improvements to those Acts, and to establish demonstration projects that provide an opportunity for persons with limited means to accumulate assets. APPROPRIATIONS--TREASURY/POSTAL SERVICES Conferees on Wednesday, October 7, agreed to file a further conference report on the differences between the Senate- and House- passed versions of H.R. 4104, making appropriations for the Treasury Department, the United States Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, and certain Independent Agencies, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999. BANKRUPTCY REFORM Conferees on Wednesday, October 7, agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate- and House-passed versions of H.R. 3150, to amend title 11 of the United States Code. DIGITAL MILLENNIUM COPYRIGHT ACT Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate- and House-passed versions of H.R. 2281, to amend title 17, United States Code, to implement the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty and Performances and Phonograms Treaty. CARL D. PERKINS VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENTS Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate- and House-passed versions of H.R. 1853, to amend the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act.