Consider Wednesday. The Senate. The major piece of work was on the S.4: Improving America's Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Take a look at the bill table of contents:
TITLE I—IMPROVING INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION SHARING
WITHIN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WITH STATE, LOCAL,
AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS
Subtitle A—Homeland Security Information Sharing Enhancement
Sec. 111. Homeland Security Advisory System and information sharing.
Sec. 112. Information sharing.
Sec. 113. Intelligence training development for State and local government officials.
Sec. 114. Information sharing incentives.
Subtitle B—Homeland Security Information Sharing Partnerships
Sec. 121. State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative.
Sec. 122. Homeland Security Information Sharing Fellows Program.
Subtitle C—Interagency Threat Assessment and Coordination Group
Sec. 131. Interagency Threat Assessment and Coordination Group.
TITLE II—HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS
Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Homeland Security Grant Program.
Sec. 203. Technical and conforming amendments.
TITLE III—COMMUNICATIONS OPERABILITY AND INTEROPERABILITY
Sec. 301. Dedicated funding to achieve emergency communications operability and interoperable communications.
Sec. 302. Border Interoperability Demonstration Project.
TITLE IV—ENHANCING SECURITY OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Sec. 401. Modernization of the visa waiver program.
Sec. 402. Strengthening the capabilities of the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center.
Sec. 403. Enhancements to the Terrorist Travel Program.
Sec. 404. Enhanced driver’s license.
Sec. 405. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
TITLE V—PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES MATTERS
Sec. 501. Modification of authorities relating to Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
Sec. 502. Privacy and civil liberties officers.
Sec. 503. Department Privacy Officer.
Sec. 504. Federal Agency Data Mining Reporting Act of 2007.
TITLE VI—ENHANCED DEFENSES AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION
Sec. 601. National Biosurveillance Integration Center.
Sec. 602. Biosurveillance efforts.
Sec. 603. Interagency coordination to enhance defenses against nuclear and radiological
weapons of mass destruction.
TITLE VII—PRIVATE SECTOR PREPAREDNESS
Sec. 701. Definitions.
Sec. 702. Responsibilities of the private sector office of the Department.
Sec. 703. Voluntary national preparedness standards compliance; accreditation and certification program for the private sector.
Sec. 704. Sense of Congress regarding promoting an international standard for private sector preparedness.
Sec. 705. Report to Congress.
Sec. 706. Rule of construction.
TITLE VIII—TRANSPORTATION SECURITY PLANNING AND
INFORMATION SHARING
Sec. 801. Transportation security strategic planning.
Sec. 802. Transportation security information sharing.
Sec. 803. Transportation Security Administration personnel management.
TITLE IX—INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Sec. 901. Preidentifying and evaluating multijurisdictional facilities to strengthen incident command; private sector preparedness.
Sec. 902. Credentialing and typing to strengthen incident command.
TITLE X—CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
Sec. 1001. Critical infrastructure protection.
Sec. 1002. Risk assessment and report.
Sec. 1003. Use of existing capabilities.
TITLE XI—CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT OF INTELLIGENCE
Sec. 1101. Availability to public of certain intelligence funding information.
Sec. 1102. Response of intelligence community to requests from Congress.
Sec. 1103. Public Interest Declassification Board.
TITLE XII—INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON ANTITERRORISM TECHNOLOGIES
Sec. 1201. Promoting antiterrorism capabilities through international cooperation.
Sec. 1202. Transparency of funds.
TITLE XIII—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 1301. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Secretary for Management.
Sec. 1302. Sense of the Senate regarding combating domestic radicalization.
Sec. 1303. Sense of the Senate regarding oversight of homeland security.
Sec. 1304. Report regarding border security.
VerDate
The bolded items struck me as (1) great places for pork barrel activities, (2) further infringement on the liberties of ordinary citizens, and (3) begging corporations (please, pretty please) voluntarily to behave in a way that improves national security instead of mandating private sector activities.
On Wednesday, Senator Reid introduces Amendment No. 275 "in the nature of a substitute". The amended table of contents are:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Table of contents.
TITLE I—IMPROVING INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION SHARING WITHIN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WITH STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS
Subtitle A—Homeland Security Information
Sharing Enhancement
Sec. 111. Homeland Security Advisory System and information sharing.
Sec. 112. Information sharing.
Sec. 113. Intelligence training development for State and local government
officials.
Sec. 114. Information sharing incentives.
Subtitle B—Homeland Security Information Sharing Partnerships
Sec. 121. State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative.
Sec. 122. Homeland Security Information Sharing Fellows Program.
Subtitle C—Interagency Threat Assessment and Coordination Group
Sec. 131. Interagency Threat Assessment and Coordination Group.
TITLE II—HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS
Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Homeland Security Grant Program.
Sec. 203. Technical and conforming amendments.
TITLE III—COMMUNICATIONS OPERABILITY AND INTEROPERABILITY
Sec. 301. Dedicated funding to achieve emergency communications operability and interoperable communications.
Sec. 302. Border Interoperability Demonstration Project.
TITLE IV—ENHANCING SECURITY OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Sec. 401. Modernization of the visa waiver program.
Sec. 402. Strengthening the capabilities of the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center.
Sec. 403. Enhancements to the Terrorist Travel Program.[Huh?]
Sec. 404. Enhanced driver’s license.
Sec. 405. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
TITLE V—PRIVACY AND CIVIL
LIBERTIES MATTERS
Sec. 501. Modification of authorities relating to Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
Sec. 502. Privacy and civil liberties officers.
Sec. 503. Department Privacy Officer.
Sec. 504. Federal Agency Data Mining Reporting Act of 2007.
TITLE VI—ENHANCED DEFENSES
AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
Sec. 601. National Biosurveillance Integration Center.
Sec. 602. Biosurveillance efforts.
Sec. 603. Interagency coordination to enhance defenses against nuclear and radiological weapons of mass destruction.
TITLE VII—PRIVATE SECTOR PREPAREDNESS
Sec. 701. Definitions.
Sec. 702. Responsibilities of the private sector office of the Department.
Sec. 703. Voluntary national preparedness standards compliance; accreditation and certification program for the private sector.
Sec. 704. Sense of Congress regarding promoting an international standard
for private sector preparedness.
Sec. 705. Report to Congress.
Sec. 706. Rule of construction.
TITLE VIII—TRANSPORTATION SECURITY PLANNING AND INFORMATION SHARING
Sec. 801. Transportation security strategic planning.
Sec. 802. Transportation security information sharing.
Sec. 803. Transportation Security Administration personnel management.
TITLE IX—INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Sec. 901. Preidentifying and evaluating multijurisdictional facilities to
strengthen incident command; private sector preparedness.
Sec. 902. Credentialing and typing to strengthen incident command.
TITLE X—CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
PROTECTION
Sec. 1001. Critical infrastructure protection.
Sec. 1002. Risk assessment and report.
Sec. 1003. Use of existing capabilities.
TITLE XI—CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT OF INTELLIGENCE
Sec. 1101. Availability to public of certain intelligence funding information.
Sec. 1102. Response of intelligence community to requests from Congress.
Sec. 1103. Public Interest Declassification
Board.
TITLE XII—INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON ANTITERRORISM TECHNOLOGIES
Sec. 1201. Promoting antiterrorism capabilities through international cooperation.
Sec. 1202. Transparency of funds.
TITLE XIII—TRANSPORTATION AND INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES
Sec. 1301. Short title.
Subtitle A—Surface Transportation and Rail Security
Sec. 1311. Definition.
PART I—IMPROVED RAIL SECURITY
Sec. 1321. Rail transportation security risk assessment.
Sec. 1322. Systemwide Amtrak security upgrades.
Sec. 1323. Fire and life-safety improvements.
Sec. 1324. Freight and passenger rail security upgrades.
Sec. 1325. Rail security research and development.
Sec. 1326. Oversight and grant procedures.
Sec. 1327. Amtrak plan to assist families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents.
Sec. 1328. Northern border rail passenger report.
Sec. 1329. Rail worker security training program.
Sec. 1330. Whistleblower protection program.
Sec. 1331. High hazard material security risk mitigation plans.
Sec. 1332. Enforcement authority.
Sec. 1333. Rail security enhancements.
Sec. 1334. Public awareness.
Sec. 1335. Railroad high hazard material tracking.
Sec. 1336. Authorization of appropriations.
PART II—IMPROVED MOTOR CARRIER, BUS,AND HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SECURITY
Sec. 1341. Hazardous materials highway routing.
Sec. 1342. Motor carrier high hazard material tracking.
Sec. 1343. Memorandum of agreement.
Sec. 1344. Hazardous materials security inspections and enforcement.
Sec. 1345. Truck security assessment.
Sec. 1346. National public sector response system.
Sec. 1347. Over-the-road bus security assistance.
Sec. 1348. Pipeline security and incident recovery plan.
Sec. 1349. Pipeline security inspections and enforcement.
Sec. 1350. Technical corrections.
Sec. 1351. Certain personnel limitations not to apply.
Sec. 1352. Maritime and surface transportation security user fee study.
Subtitle B—Aviation Security Improvement
Sec. 1361. Extension of authorization for aviation security funding.
Sec. 1362. Passenger aircraft cargo screening.
Sec. 1363. Blast-resistant cargo containers.
Sec. 1364. Protection of air cargo on passenger planes from explosives.
Sec. 1365. In-line baggage screening.
Sec. 1366. Enhancement of in-line baggage system deployment.
Sec. 1367. Research and development of aviation transportation security
technology.
Sec. 1368. Certain TSA personnel limitations not to apply.
Sec. 1369. Specialized training.
Sec. 1370. Explosive detection at passenger screening checkpoints.
Sec. 1371. Appeal and redress process for passengers wrongly delayed or prohibited from boarding a flight.
Sec. 1372. Strategic plan to test and implement advanced passenger
prescreening system.
Sec. 1373. Repair station security.
Sec. 1374. General aviation security.
Sec. 1375. Security credentials for airline crews.
Sec. 1376. National explosives detection canine team training center.
Subtitle C—Interoperable Emergency Communications
Sec. 1381. Interoperable emergency communications.
Sec. 1382. Rule of construction.
Sec. 1383. Cross border interoperability reports.
Sec. 1384. Extension of short quorum.
TITLE XIV—PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TERRORISM PREVENTION
Sec. 1401. Short title.
Sec. 1402. Findings.
Sec. 1403. Security assessments.
Sec. 1404. Security assistance grants.
Sec. 1405. Public transportation security training program.
Sec. 1406. Intelligence sharing.
Sec. 1407. Research, development, and demonstration grants and contracts.
Sec. 1408. Reporting requirements.
Sec. 1409. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 1410. Sunset provision.
TITLE XV—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 1501. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Secretary for Management.
Sec. 1502. Sense of the Senate regarding combating domestic
radicalization.
Sec. 1503. Report regarding border security.
Similar stuff, so why is it introduced as a substitute amendment?
And the sense of the Senate about domestic radicalization is this:
SEC. 1502. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING COMBATING DOMESTIC RADICALIZATION.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Senate finds the following:
(1) The United States is engaged in a struggle against a transnational terrorist movement of radical extremists seeking to exploit the religion of Islam through violent means to achieve ideological ends.
(2) The radical jihadist movement transcends borders and has been identified as a potential threat within the United States.
(3) Radicalization has been identified as a precursor to terrorism.
(4) Countering the threat of violent extremists domestically, as well as internationally, is a critical element of the plan of the United States for success in the war on terror.
(5) United States law enforcement agencies have identified radicalization as an emerging threat and have in recent years identified cases of ‘‘homegrown’’ extremists operating inside the United States with the intent to provide support for, or directly commit, a terrorist attack.
(6) The alienation of Muslim populations in the Western world has been identified as a factor in the spread of radicalization.
(7) Radicalization cannot be prevented solely through law enforcement and intelligence measures.
(b) SENSE OF SENATE.—It is the sense of the Senate that the Secretary, in consultation with other relevant Federal agencies, should make a priority of countering domestic radicalization and extremism by—(1) using intelligence analysts and other experts to better understand the process of radicalization from sympathizer to activist to terrorist; (2) Recruiting employees with diverse worldviews, skills, languages, and cultural backgrounds and expertise; (3) consulting with experts to ensure that the lexicon used within public statements is precise and appropriate and does not aid extremists by offending the American Muslim community;
(4) developing and implementing, in concert with the Attorney General and State and local corrections officials, a program to address prisoner radicalization and post-sentence reintegration; (5) pursuing broader avenues of dialogue with the Muslim community to foster mutual respect, understanding, and trust; and (6) working directly with State, local, and
community leaders to—(A) educate these leaders on the threat of
radicalization and the necessity of taking preventative action at the local level; and (B) facilitate the sharing of best practices from other countries and communities to encourage outreach to the American Muslim
community and develop partnerships between all faiths, including Islam.
It's amazing that this has to be spelled out, isn't it?
Then Collins (R-ME) introduced an amendment to extend the deadline by which State identification documents shall comply with certain minimum standards.
Bingaman (D-NM) and Domenici (R-NM) introduced and amendment to provide financial aid to local law enforcement officials along the Nation's borders. (Why was this consideration not a part of the original bill or is this really an attempt to earmark "grant" funds for border states, such as New Mexico?)
On Thursday, a Schumer/Menendez amendment to strengthen the security of cargo containers was rejected 58-38. (Whaa?)
The Collins amendment was withdrawn.
The Bingaman/Domenici amendment was withdrawn.
Pending were:
Reid substitute amendment
Sununu amendment to ensure that the emergency communications and interoperability communications grant program does not exclude Internet Protocol-based interoperable solutions
Sununu amendment to expand the reporting requirement on cross-border interoperability, and to prevent lengthy delays in the accessing frequencies and channels for public safety communication users and others. (What others?)
A modified Salazar/Lieberman amendment to require a quadrennial homeland security review.
A Salazar/Lieberman amendment to create a Rural Policing Institute as part of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
A DeMint amendment to strike the provision that revises the personnel management practices of the Transportation Security Administration.
A Lieberman amendment to provide appeal rights and employee engagement mechanisms for passenger and property screeners.
A McCaskill amendment to provide appeal rights and employee engagement mechanisms for passenger and property screeners.
A Dorgan/Conrad amendment to require a report to Congress on the hunt for Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and the leadership of al-Quaeda.
In the committees, Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services examined mine safety a year after the Sago and Alma coalmining disasters.
Judiciary concluded a hearing to examine comprehensive immigration reform, focusing on gaining effective control of the border, building a robust interior enforcement program, establishing a Temporary Worker Program, and promoting assimilation of new immigrants into society.
Armed Services concluded a hearing on Afghanistan.
Budget concluded a hearing on the President's proposed budget for FY 2008 defense and war costs.
Environment and Public Works held a hearing to examine state, local, and regional government approaches to address global warming.
Meanwhile, the House on Wednesday passed the National Security Foreign Investment Reform Act of 2007 (H.R. 556).
In doing this, the House agreed to the following amendments to the original bill:
A Frank (the bill manager on this one) amendment that made technical and clarifying changes to the bill.
A King (IA) amendment requiring the President to consider the potential effects of a covered transaction on the efforts of the US to curtail human smuggling.
A Barrow amendment that includes in the reporting requirements Senators representing states and Members of Congres representing Congressional Districts that would be significantly impacted by a covered transaction.
The House rejected the following amendments:
A McCaul (TX) amendment that sought to insert a new paragraph entitled Contents of Report Related to Barriers to Investment Into the United States relating to the effective rate of taxation on entrepreneurs and businesses and other sources of capital in the U.S. as compared to other countries.
A McCaul (TX) amendment that sought to insert a new paragraph entitled Contents of Report Related to Barriers to Investment Into the United States relating to the amount of burdensome regulation in the United States as compared to other countries.
A McCaul (TX) amendment that sought to insert a new paragraph entitled Contents of Report Related to Barriers to Investment Into the United States relating to trend information on the number of jobs in the United States related to foreign investment resulting from covered transactions.
On Thursday, the House passed the Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 800), which amends the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations and to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing.
Rejected amendments were:
A King (IA) amendment that sought to add a section to the bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to discourage the practice of "salting".
A Foxx amendment that sought to require the National Labor Relations Board to promulgate standards and a model notice for an employee to put him- or herself on a "do not call or contact" list ot avoid union solicitation.
A McKeon amendment that sought to strike the underlying text and insert in its place the the text of H.R. 866, the Secret Ballot Protection Act.
House committees:
Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture held a hearing on the 2007 Farm Bill.
Armed Services held a hearing on the impact of changes to the Reserve Montgomery G. I. Bill.
Budget held a hearing on fiscal challenges and the economy in the long term, Ben Bernanke, Chairman, Federal Reserve System testifying.
Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing "The Lack of Diversity in Leadership Positions in NCAA College Sports."
Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet approved for full Committee action H.R. 251 Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007.
Also held a hearing entitled "Digital Future of the United States: Part I - The Future of the World Wide Web"
Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled "Insurance Claims Payment Processes in the Gulf Coast after the 2005 Hurricanes"
Foreign Affairs held a hearings on
- Iraq and US foreign policy, Richard Holbrooke, testifying.
- North Korea and the February 13 Agreement.
- North Korean and Human Rights
- Policy Towards Latin America
Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications held a hearing on FEMA reform
Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law approved the issuance of four subpoenas in conjunction with a hearing to be held next week.
Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a hearing on the Senate Lobbying Reform bill S.1 To Provide Greater Transparency in the Legislative Process.
Oversight and Government Reform hel an oversight hearing on the Presidential Records Act.
By the numbers:
Days since January 4: 56
Working days since January 4 (for everyone else): 38
Days in session: Senate 31, House 28
Percentage of available days/working days in session: Senate 55%/81%, House 50%/74%
Total time in session since January 4: Senate 233h 3m; House 242h 56m
Public bills enacted into law: 6
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