The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Senate Committee Meetings” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the in the Daily Digest section section on pages D180-D181 on Feb. 16.
The Department oversees more than 500 million acres of land. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the department has contributed to a growing water crisis and holds many lands which could be better managed.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
EPA'S RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD PROGRAM
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's Renewable Fuel Standard program, focusing on challenges and opportunities, after receiving testimony from Cory-Ann Wind, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland; and Emily Skor, Growth Energy, Lucian Pugliaresi, Energy Policy Research Foundation, Inc., and LeAnn Johnson Koch, Perkins Coie LLP, all of Washington, D.C.
WESTERN BALKANS
Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation concluded a hearing to examine the Western Balkans, focusing on supporting peace and prosperity, after receiving testimony from Gabriel Escobar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; and Lisa Magno, Deputy Assistant Administrator, United States Agency for International Development.
U.S.-COLOMBIA RELATIONS
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine reinvigorating United States-Colombia relations, after receiving testimony from Brian A. Nichols, Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, and Todd D. Robinson, Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, both of the Department of State; Marcela Escobari, Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, United States Agency for International Development; and Daniel A. Restrepo, Center for American Progress, and Celina B. Realuyo, The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, both of Washington, D.C.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported S. 2264, to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996.
INDIAN AFFAIRS LEGISLATION
Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 3123, to amend the Siletz Reservation Act to address the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, S. 3126, to amend the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to address the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community, S. 3273, to take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and S. 3381, to require the Bureau of Indian Affairs to process and complete all mortgage packages associated with residential and business mortgages on Indian land by certain deadlines, after receiving testimony from Kathryn Isom-Clause, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Development for Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; Delores Pigsley, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, Siletz; Cheryle A. Kennedy, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Grand Ronde, Oregon; Reid Milanovich, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Palm Springs, California; and Sharon Vogel, Cheyenne River Housing Authority, Eagle Butte, South Dakota, on behalf of the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Sherilyn Peace Garnett, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, and Trina L. Thompson, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California, who were both introduced by Senator Padilla, Nina Morrison, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, who was introduced by Senator Schumer, and Paul Monteiro, of Maryland, to be Director, Community Relations Service, Department of Justice, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community.
