Congresspedia Preview: This Week in Congress (June 20 - 27, 2008)

By Congresspedia assistant editor Avelino Maestas

The Senate this week is expected to take up a new reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which passed through the House of Representatives late last week. The Senate might also consider a spending bill for the Iraq War, legislation that has gone back and forth between the two chambers with mixed provisions. House members are expected to attempt a Medicare physician payment patch, and they will also take up a $61.5 billion fix to the Alternative Minimum Tax. Also, we have congressional primaries in Utah tomorrow.

As we explained in our review post, the new FISA bill includes some additional judicial oversight on the nation’s electronic surveillance programs while giving tacit immunity to telephone companies that helped the administration spy on Americans without a warrant.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has indicated he will strip the immunity provision from the legislation when his chamber debates the bill this week. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has also said he would work to strip the immunity provisions, while presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has not released a statement on the bill.

The Iraq War supplemental has been a political football this year: $162 billion in war spending was not included the first time the House considered the legislation, while the Senate version has included new domestic spending that was not offset by funding cuts or tax increases. The most recent version - approved by the House last week – includes war funding, money for extended unemployment benefits, and a new veterans’ education benefit. Whether the Senate will try to tack additional domestic programs to the bill remains to be seen.

Hearings Schedules:
June 24, 2008

Senate

• Senate Finance Committee An oversight hearing to examine trade functions, focusing on customs and other trade agencies. SD-215 10:00 am
• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Hearings to examine climate change impacts on the transportation sector. SR-253 10:30 am
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Hearings to examine ending excessive speculation in commodity markets, focusing on legislative options. SD-342 10:30 am
• Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Hearings to examine the emergence of the superbug, focusing on antimicrobial resistance in the United States. SD-430 10:30 am
• Senate Judiciary Committee: Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law Hearings to examine from Nuremberg to Darfur, focusing on accountability for crimes against humanity. SD-226 10:30 am
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Business meeting to consider H.R.176, H.R.2553, S.2120, S.2166, and S.3097. S-116 2:15 pm
• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Business meeting to consider S.2907, to establish uniform administrative and enforcement procedures and penalties for the enforcement of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and similar statutes, an original bill entitled, "The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008", an original bill entitled, "The National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008", and promotion lists in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Coast Guard. SR-253 2:30 pm

House

• Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation hearing on Sustainable, Energy-Efficient Road Infrastructure, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
• Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water and Power oversight hearing on The Silent Invasion: Finding Solutions to Minimize the Impacts of Invasive Quagga Mussels on Water Rates, Water Infrastructure and the Environment, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth.
• Committee on Appropriations to mark up the following Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Homeland Security; and to consider Subcommittee Allocations 302(b)s, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.
• Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health hearing on H.R. 3014, Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.
• Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security hearing on Online Pharmacies and the Problem of Internet Drug Abuse, 11:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources, and Environment hearing on Comprehensive Watershed Management and Planning, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn.
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs hearing on Oversight of Coalition Support Funds for Pakistan, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.
• Committee on Appropriations Intelligence Oversight Panel, executive, to consider Recommendations for Classified Appropriations, 3:30 p.m., H-140 Capitol.

June 25, 2008

Senate

• Senate Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Constitution Hearings to examine laptop searches and other violations of privacy faced by Americans returning from overseas travel. SD-226 9:00 am
• Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Hearings to examine the increased global energy demand, focusing on the challenges for meeting future energy needs, while developing new technologies to address the current and future global climate change. SD-366 9:30 am
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearings to examine a new strategy for an enhanced partnership with Pakistan. SD-419 9:30 am
• Senate Joint Economic Committee Hearings to examine the United States economy, focusing on the skyrocketing oil prices. SD-106 9:30 am
• Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Hearings to examine the future federal role for surface transportation. SD-406 10:00 am
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Business meeting to consider S.2583, S.1924, H.R.5683, S.3013, S.2382, S.2148, S.2816, S.3015, H.R.5395 and S.2622, H.R.5479, H.R.4185, H.R.5528, H.R.3721, H.R.5517, H.R.5168, and S.3082 SD-342 10:0 am
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship Hearings to examine solutions to cope with the rise in home heating oil prices. SR-428A 10:00 am
• Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Business meeting to markup proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Energy Information Administration, focusing on forecasts for oil and gasoline prices. SD-192 11:00 am

House

• Committee on Science and Technology to mark up the following bills: H.R. 4174, Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2007; H.R. 5618, National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008; and H.R. 6314, Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
• Committee on Appropriations to mark up the following Appropriations for Fiscal year 2009: Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; and Financial Services and general Government, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.
• Committee on Education and Labor to mark up H.R. 3289, PRE-K Act, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at K-Town: One Year Later, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
• Committee on Natural Resources to consider the following bills: a Committee Resolution dealing with emergency withdrawal of certain federal lands near Grand Canyon National Park; H.R. 415, To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers; H.R. 1286, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act; H.R. 1210, Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2007; H.R. 6041, To redesignate the Rio Grande American Canal in El Paso, Texas, as the ``Travis C. Johnson Canal;'' H.R. 1907, Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act; and H.R. 3227, To direct the Secretary of the Interior to continue stocking fish in certain lakes in the North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, 11 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
• Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law hearing on the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn.
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement hearing on ID Cards: Reissuing Border Crossing Cards, 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn.
• Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia hearing on More Than Just the 123 Agreement: The Future of U.S.--Indo Relations, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials hearing on Implementation of the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, and Enforcement and Safety Act of 2006, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn.

June 26, 2008

Senate

• Senate Committee on Indian Affairs An oversight hearing to examine access to contract health services in Indian country. SD-562 9:30 am
• Senate Committee on Armed Services Hearings to examine the nominations of Nelson M. Ford, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of the Army, Joseph A. Benkert, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary, Sean Joseph Stackley, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and Frederick S. Celec, of Virginia, to be Assistant to the Secretary for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs, all of the Department of Defense. SD-106 9:30 am
• Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Business meeting to markup pending calendar business. SR-418 9:30 am
• Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Hearings to examine the outlook for summer air travel, focusing on addressing congestion and delay. SR-253 10:00 am
• Senate Finance Committee Hearings to examine the foundation of international tax reform, focusing on worldwide, territorial, and other related issues. SD-215 10:00 am
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Hearings to examine nuclear terrorism, focusing on the federal response for providing medical care and meeting basic needs in the aftermath of an attack. SD-342 10:00 am
• Senate Judiciary Committee Business meeting to consider S.2979, H.R.5690, S.2892, S.1211, S.3155, S.2746, S.3061, S.Res.594. SD-226 10:00 am
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs Hearings to examine effective ways to catch fugitives in the 21st century. SD-226 2:00 pm
• Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security Hearings to examine addressing the nation's financial challenges. SD-342 2:30 pm
• Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Children and Families Hearings to examine reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)(Public Law 93-247), focusing on protecting children and strengthening families. SD-430 2:30 pm

House

• Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, and the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education joint hearing on The State of Hurricane Research and H.R. 2407, National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
• Committee on Appropriations to mark up the following Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; and the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.
• Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Hortriculture and Organic Agriculture hearing to review the status of pollinator health including colony collapse disorder, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth.
• Committee on Veterans, Subcommittee on Health hearing on pending legislation, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon.
• Committee on Financial Services hearing on H.R. 6066, Extractive Industries Transparency Disclosure Act, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
• Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures hearing on the role of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA's) in our retirement system, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth.
• Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans hearing on H.R. 6311, NonNative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth.
• Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties hearing on From the Department of Justice to Guantanamo Bay: Administration Lawyers and Administration Interrogation Rules, Part III, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
• [https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=House_Committee_on_Oversight_and_Government_Reform] hearing on Governance and Financial Accountability of Rural Electric Cooperatives: the Pedernales Experience, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
• Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions hearing on An Examination of Discrimination Against Transgender Americans in the Workplace, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
• Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence executive, briefing on National Applications Office, 1 p.m., H-405 Capitol.
• Subcommittee on Investigation and Oversight to meet to consider authorization of a subpoena for documents related to the Department of Energy's FutureGen project, 1 p.m., 2318 Rayburn.
• Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security hearing on H.R. 1889, Private Prison Information Act of 2007, (Part II), 1 p.m., 2237 Rayburn.
• Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity to mark up the following bills: H.R. 6225, Injunctive Relief for Veterans Act of 2008; H.R. 6224, Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2008; H.R. 6221, Veterans-Owned Small Business Protection and Clarification Act of 2008; H.R. 6272, SMOCTA Reauthorization Act of 2008; H.R. 4255, United States Olympic Committee Paralympic Program Act of 2007; H.R. 6070, Military Spouses Residency Relief Act; H.R. 2910, Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2007; H.R. 3298, 21st Century Servicemembers Protection Act; and H.R. 2721, To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop, and the Secretary of Defense to distribute to members of the Armed Forces upon their discharge or release from active duty, information in a compact disk read-only memory format that lists and explains the health, education, and other benefits for which veterans are eligible under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 1 p.m., 334 Cannon.
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment hearing on Protecting and Restoring America's Great Waters--Part 1: Coastal Estuaries, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn.
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia hearing on An Examination of Locality Pay, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.

June 27, 2008

House

• Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch oversight hearing on the Capitol Visitor Center, 10 a.m., 2358A Rayburn.
• Committee on the Judiciary, Task Force on Competition Policy and Antitrust Laws hearing on Competition on the Internet, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.