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.
“Highlights + Senate” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the in the Daily Digest section section on pages D1653-D1658 on Dec. 19, 2007.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
Senate passed H.J. Res. 72, Continuing Appropriations.
Senate completed action on S. Con. Res. 61, Adjournment
Resolution.
The House agreed to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2764, Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2008.
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S15945-S16071
Measures Introduced: Fourteen bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 11, S. 2519-2531, S. Res. 417-418, and S. Con. Res. 63-64.
Pages S16005-06
Measures Reported:
S. 772, to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-252)
S. 595, to amend the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 to strike a provision relating to modifications in reporting frequency. (S. Rept. No. 110-253)
S. 1523, to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide from the Capitol power plant. (S. Rept. No. 110-254)
Page S16003
Measures Passed:
Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act: Senate passed S. 924, to strengthen the United States Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater Program, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S15945-50
Reid (for Cantwell) Amendment No. 3884, of a perfecting nature.
Page S15947
Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4253, to improve and expand small business assistance programs for veterans of the armed forces and military reservists, and the bill was then passed, after striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof, the text of S. 1784, Senate companion measure, as amended, after agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S15950-52
Reid (for Kerry) Amendment No. 3885, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S15952
Reid (for Coburn) Amendment No. 3886, of a perfecting nature.
Page S15952
Subsequently, S. 1784 was placed on the Senate calendar.
Page S15952
NICS Improvement Amendments Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2640, to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S15969-70, S15970-71
Schumer (for Leahy/Schumer) Amendment No. 3887, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S15971
Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3890, to impose sanctions on officials of the State Peace and Development Council in Burma, to amend the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to prohibit the importation of gemstones and hardwoods from Burma, to promote a coordinated international effort to restore civilian democratic rule to Burma, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto:
Page S15971
Schumer (for Biden/McConnell) Amendment No. 3888, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S15971
Schumer (for Biden/McConnell) Amendment No. 3889, to amend the title.
Page S15971
Continuing Appropriations: Senate agreed to H.J. Res. 72, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, clearing the measure for the President.
Pages S15980-81
Pension Protection Act Technical Correction: Senate passed S. 1974, to make technical corrections related to the Pension Protection Act of 2006, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S16048-55
Reid (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 3891, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S16047
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the bill remain at the desk until such time as the Senate receives a companion measure from the House; that the Senate then proceed to its consideration, all after the enacting clause be stricken and the text of S. 1974, as amended, be inserted in lieu thereof, the bill advance to third reading, passed and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, without further intervening action or debate, and that S. 1974 be returned to the calendar.
Page S16049
Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Office: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 2478, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 59 Colby Corner in East Hampstead, New Hampshire, as the ``Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Office'', and the bill was then passed.
Pages S15958-59, S16055
John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3470, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 744 West Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville, Georgia, as the ``John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President.
Page S16055
Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3569, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16731 Santa Ana Avenue in Fontana, California, as the ``Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President.
Page S16055
Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3974, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 797 Sam Bass Road in Round Rock, Texas, as the ``Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President.
Page S16055
Turrill Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4009, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 567 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer, Michigan, as the
``Turrill Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President.
Page S16055
George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2011, to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 100 East 8th Avenue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the ``George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President.
Page S16055
Neal Smith Federal Building: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1045, to designate the Federal building located at 210 Walnut Street in Des Moines, Iowa, as the ``Neal Smith Federal Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President.
Page S16055
Office of Compliance Employees: Senate passed H.R. 3571, to amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to permit individuals who have served as employees of the Office of Compliance to serve as Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, or General Counsel of the Office, and to permit individuals appointed to such positions to serve one additional term, clearing the measure for the President.
Page S16055
Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3432, to establish the Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S16055-56
Reid (for Lautenberg) Amendment No. 3892, to strike the authorization of appropriations.
Page S16055
United States Air Force Space Command 25th Anniversary: Committee on Armed Services was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 389, commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the United States Air Force Space Command headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S16056
Technical Corrections: Senate passed H.R. 4839, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make technical corrections, clearing the measure for the President.
Pages S16056-60
House Messages:
Adjournment Resolution: Senate concurred in the amendment of the House to S. Con. Res. 61, providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate, and a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives.
Page S15980
Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act: Senate concurred in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 3997, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief and protections for military personnel, with the following amendment:
Reid (for Baucus) Amendment No. 3997, of a perfecting nature.
Page S16048
Appointments:
United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: The Chair, on behalf of the Minority Leader, and after consultation with the ranking members of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Finance, pursuant to Public Law 106-398, as amended by Public Law 108-7, appointed the following individual as a member of the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: Daniel A. Blumenthal of the District of Columbia, for a term expiring December 31, 2009.
Page S16069
Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act (Omnibus)--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate request the House of Representatives to return the papers relative to H.R. 2764, making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008.
Page S15945
Authority for Committees--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, all committees be authorized to file legislative and executive reports on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon.
Page S16060
Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leader be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate.
Page S16060
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that at approximately 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 22, 2008, Senate begin consideration of S. 1200, to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend the Act.
Page S16060
National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at a time determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, Senate begin consideration of S. 2483, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy; that the only amendments in order be five related amendments to be offered by Senator Coburn; provided further, that following disposition of all amendments, Senate vote on passage of the bill.
Page S16060
Nominations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the provisions of Rule XXXI notwithstanding, all nominations remain in status quo, with except the following:
Committee on the Judiciary: Steven G. Bradbury, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General.
Committee on Armed Services: Anita K. Blair, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
The following named Army National Guard of the United States officers for appointment in the Reserve of the Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 12203: Col. Larry L. Arnett, Col. Otis P. Morris, and Col. Gilberto S. Pena, to be Brigadier General:
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624: Col. Marc L. Warren, to be Brigadier General: and
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated in accordance with Article II, Section 2, Clause 2, of the Constitution: Col. Mark W. Tillman, to be Brigadier General.
Page S16061
Executive Reports of Committees: Senate received the following executive report of a committee:
Report to accompany United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(Treaty Doc. 103-39) (Ex. Rept. 110-9).
Pages S16003-05
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
Julie L. Myers, of Kansas, to be Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security.
Eric Alan Hanushek, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring November 28, 2010. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
Carol D'Amico, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring November 28, 2010. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
Joseph Timothy Kelliher, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2012.
Howard Radzely, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
Steven H. Murdock, of Texas, to be Director of the Census. (Prior to this action, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration.)
W. Ross Ashley, III, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.
Scott M. Burns, of Utah, to be Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.)
Benjamin Eric Sasse, of Nebraska, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Jeffrey William Runge, of North Carolina, to be Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Department of Homeland Security. (Prior to this action, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration.)
Cynthia Dyer, of Texas, to be Director of the Violence Against Women Office, Department of Justice. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.)
Stuart Ishimaru, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2012. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
Christopher A. Padilla, of the District of Columbia, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.)
Gregory F. Jacob, of New Jersey, to be Solicitor for the Department of Labor. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
Todd J. Zinser, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Commerce.
Keith Hall, of Virginia, to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, for a term of four years. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
Christina H. Pearson, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Douglas W. Webster, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Labor. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
Allan I. Mendelowitz, of Connecticut, to be a Director of the Federal Housing Finance Board for a term expiring February 27, 2014. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.)
James Shinn, of New Jersey, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
John H. Gibson, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force.
Carl T. Johnson, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation.
Mary Ann Glendon, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Holy See.
(Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.)
Mary Beth Long, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
Craig W. Duehring, of Minnesota, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force.
Tracy Ralph Justesen, of Utah, to be Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
Nathan J. Hochman, of California, to be an Assistant Attorney General. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.)
Joseph P. Russoniello, of California, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of California for the term of four years.
(Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.)
Francis Mulvey, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board for a term expiring December 31, 2012.
Charles W. Larson, Jr., of Iowa, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.)
Jon Wellinghoff, of Nevada, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2013.
Robert D. Jamison, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of Homeland Security.
7 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
41 Army nominations in the rank of general.
8 Coast Guard nominations in the rank of admiral.
Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Foreign Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Navy. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of routine lists in the Foreign Service)
Pages S16070-71
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Deanna Tanner Okun, of Idaho, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador.
Richard A. Boucher, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period.
William J. Burns, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period.
Anne Woods Patterson, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period.
C. David Welch, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period.
Robert D. Jamison, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of Homeland Security.
Robert G. McSwain, of Maryland, to be Director of the Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, for the term of four years.
Jamsheed K. Choksy, of Indiana, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014.
Dawn Ho Delbanco, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014.
Gary D. Glenn, of Illinois, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014.
David Hertz, of Indiana, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014.
Marvin Bailey Scott, of Indiana, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for the remainder of the term expiring January 26, 2010.
Carol M. Swain, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014.
A routine list in the Army.
Page S16069
Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination:
Robert D. Jamison, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs, Department of Homeland Security, which was sent to the Senate on September 4, 2007.
Page S16071
Messages from the House:
Page S15999
Measures Referred:
Page S16000
Measures Placed on the Calendar:
Page S16000
Measures Read the First Time:
Page S16000
Enrolled Bills Presented:
Page S16000
Executive Communications:
Pages S16000-03
Petitions and Memorials:
Page S16003
Executive Reports of Committees:
Pages S16003-05
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S16006-07
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S16007-18
Additional Statements:
Pages S15997-99
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S16018-47
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:
Page S16047
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S16047-48
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S16048
Recess: Senate convened at 11:30 a.m. and recessed, at 9:22 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2007 for a pro forma session, and then recess automatically until 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 23, 2007.
(For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S16069.)
[[Page D1658]]
