The Week at a Glance: May 12-16, 2008
Action is scheduled for a number of bills, with a full House Armed Services markup of the defense authorization bill and a full Senate Appropriations markup of the emergency supplemental funding bill for fiscal 2008.
Several Homeland Security panel hearings are scheduled as part of a series throughout May on ways to promote a resilient homeland, focusing on the nation’s ability to bounce back from large-scale disruptions.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak appear before Senate Banking to discuss local perspectives on the condition of national infrastructure.
Hearings also are scheduled on the reauthorization of Amtrak and on the proposed merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines .
Senate Indian Affairs has two hearings scheduled.
House Rules considers rules for floor debate for the conference report on the farm bill (HR 2419). 5 p.m. Tuesday, H-313 Capitol
House Armed Services markup of the defense authorization bill (HR 5658). 10 a.m. Wednesday, 2118 Rayburn
House Education and Labor markup of legislation regarding airline flight crews (HR 2744) and preventing child abuse in teen residential programs (HR 5876). 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, 2175 Rayburn
House Foreign Affairs markup of draft legislation regarding partnering with Merida to fight drug crime and violence. 11 a.m. Wednesday, 2172 Rayburn
House Natural Resources markup of legislation regarding protection of paleontological resources on federal lands (HR 554), wilderness acts (HR 3022, HR 2632) American Indians (HR 5680) and California lands (HR 3682). 11 a.m. Wednesday, 1324 Longworth
Senate Armed Services closed meeting to vote on military nominations. 9:30 a.m. Thursday, 222 Russell
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation markup of legislation regarding cigarette labeling (S 2685), marine protections (HR 1187, S 2281 , HR 1006) oil-carrying vessel requirements (S 2699) and maritime administration; also votes on nominations of Lily Fu Claffee to be Commerce Department general counsel and William J. Brennan to be Commerce assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere. 10 a.m. Thursday, 253 Russell
Senate Judiciary marks up legislation regarding copyrights (S 2913), grant programs for bulletproof vests (S 2511), a congressional badge of bravery (HR 4056, S 2565), federal judgeships (S 2774), child protections (S 1738, S 2756, S 2982), a volunteer attorney network for domestic violence cases (S 1515) and a National Advocacy Center (S 2942); also votes on nomination of G. Steven Agee to be U.S. Circuit judge for the 4th Circuit. 10 a.m. Thursday, 226 Dirksen
Senate Appropriations markup of draft emergency supplemental legislation for fiscal 2008. 2 p.m. Thursday, 106 Dirksen
Democratic Policy hearing on American reconstruction and the U.S. mission in Iraq. 2 p.m. Monday, 406 Dirksen
House Oversight and Government Reform hearing on the Defense Base Act’s requirement that employees hired by contractors and subcontractors for work on U.S. government international contracts to be insured, regardless of their assignment and/or location. The coverage provides workers’ compensation benefits (medical, disability, death) in the event of a work-related injury or illness. 10 a.m. Thursday, 2154 Rayburn
Senate Select Intelligence closed hearings. 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 219 Hart
Senate Judiciary hearing on bulletproof vest partnership programs. 10 a.m. Tuesday, 226 Dirksen
House Homeland Security Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response Subcommittee hearing on public alerts and warnings systems. Time TBA Wednesday, 311 Cannon
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on nomination of Paul A. Schneider to be Homeland Security deputy secretary. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 342 Dirksen
House Homeland Security Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment Subcommittee hearing on the Department of Homeland Security and use of intelligence to prepare for and prevent terrorist attacks. Time TBA Thursday, 311 Cannon
House Homeland Security Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee hearing on transportation security and infrastructure protection. Time TBA Thursday, 311 Cannon
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on how to provide medical care and meet basic needs in the event of nuclear terrorist attack. 10 a.m. Thursday, 342 Dirksen
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia Subcommittee hearing on the State Department’s role in national security bureaucracy for arms control. 2 p.m. Thursday, 342 Dirksen
Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship roundtable discussion on reducing unemployment and increasing business opportunities for veterans. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 428-A Russell
Senate Foreign Relations hearing on the global food crisis. 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 419 Dirksen
House Foreign Affairs Europe Subcommittee hearing on expanding the Visa Waiver Program, which enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. 1 p.m. Wednesday, 2200 Rayburn
House Foreign Affairs Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee hearing on U.S. assistance to South Asia. 2 p.m. Wednesday, 2172 Rayburn
Senate Foreign Relations hearing on U.S.-China relations. 2 p.m. Thursday, 419 Dirksen
House Foreign Affairs International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight Subcommittee hearing on U.N. Security Resolution 1325 regarding women’s roles in peacekeeping. 2 p.m. Thursday, 2172 Rayburn
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee hearing on plastic additives such as phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA) in consumer products, focusing on the health implications of these chemicals and their alternatives, and federal government assessments of the toxicity of these chemicals. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 253 Russell
House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing on health savings accounts. 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, 1100 Longworth
Senate Special Aging hearing on Alzheimer’s disease. 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, 106 Dirksen
House Small Business Regulations, Health Care and Trade Subcommittee hearing Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations’ impact on small health care providers. 2 p.m. Wednesday, 1539 Longworth
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Children and Families Subcommittee hearing on children with food allergies. 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, 430 Dirksen
House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on draft legislation regarding children’s health coverage. 10 a.m. Thursday, 2322 Rayburn
House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on nursing home safeguards . 10 a.m. Thursday, 2123 Rayburn
House Foreign Affairs Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment Subcommittee hearing assistance to Agent Orange victims. 10 a.m. Thursday, 2172 Rayburn
House Judiciary Commercial and Administrative Law and Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security subcommittees joint hearing titled “Allegations of Selective Prosecution: The Erosion of Public Confidence in Our Federal Justice System.” 2 p.m. Wednesday, 2141 Rayburn
| BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES |
House Judiciary Antitrust & Competition Policy Task Force hearing on credit card legislation (HR 5546). 10 a.m. Thursday, 2141 Rayburn
Joint Economic hearing on credit issues and future unnecessary systemic risk. 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 216 Hart
House Small Business hearing on food prices and small businesses. 10 a.m. Thursday, 1539 Longworth
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on the proposed fiscal 2009 budget for the Transportation Security Administration. The hearing also will examine general oversight of the agency and its implementation of recently enacted statutes such as the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act (SAFE Port Act) and the 9/11 Commission Implementation Act. 10 a.m. Tuesday, 253 Russell
Senate Finance hearing on the tax structure in advance of overhauling the system with a focus on taxing individuals. 10 a.m. Tuesday, 215 Dirksen
Senate Defense Subcommittee closed hearing on the National Guard and Reserves. 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 192 Dirksen
Senate Financial Services Subcommittee hearing on the Federal Trade Commission. 3 p.m. Wednesday, 192 Dirksen
House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on draft legislation regarding the FDA and device and cosmetic safety. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 2123 Rayburn
House Oversight and Government Reform hearing on FDA regulation and state liability claims. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 2154 Rayburn
| TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE |
House Transportation and Infrastructure Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee hearing on Amtrak reauthorization. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 2167 Rayburn
House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee hearing on the proposed merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines. 2 p.m. Wednesday, 2167 Rayburn
Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs hearing with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak on the condition of local infrastructure. 10 a.m. Thursday, 538 Dirksen
Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on climate change and critical energy infrastructure in coastal regions. 10 a.m. Tuesday, 366 Dirksen
Senate Environment and Public Works hearing on mercury legislation. 10 a.m. Tuesday, 406 Dirksen
House Science and Technology hearing on the water supply challenges. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 2318 Rayburn
House Select Energy Independence and Global Warming hearing on “green” buildings and smart growth. 2 p.m. Wednesday, location TBA
House Natural Resources Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans Subcommittee hearing on management of West Coast salmon fisheries. 10 a.m. Thursday, 1324 Longworth
Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on the development of oil shale resources. 2:30 p.m. Thursday, 366 Dirksen
House Agriculture General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee hearing on commodity markets. 10 a.m. Tuesday, 1300 Longworth
Senate Indian Affairs hearing on Indian self-governance and education assistance. 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, 562 Dirksen
Senate Indian Affairs hearing on Indian affairs bills (S 1080, HR 2120, S 2494, HR 2963, S 531). 9:30 a.m. Thursday, 562 Dirksen
House Select Roll Call Vote No. 814 Committee hearings on the Aug. 2, 2007, disputed House roll call vote. 10 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 1539 Longworth
House Oversight and Government Reform Government Management, Organization, and Procurement Subcommittee hearing on the management of civil right programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2 p.m. Wednesday, 2154 Rayburn
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security Subcommittee hearing on oversight of the National Archives. 3 p.m. Wednesday, 342 Dirksen
House Administration Elections Subcommittee hearing on election contingency plans. 2 p.m. Wednesday, 1310 Longworth
1 response so far ↓
Tracie Bennitt // October 6, 2008 at 9:27 am
The AAPS (Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences) board of directors has reviewed House Bill HR 554, “Paleontological Resources Preservation Act.” Based on dissenting views recorded from May 22, 2008, it is evident to us that a number of legislators perceive the interpretation of HR 554 in its current form to be detrimental to the preservation of our Paleontological resources. We are in complete agreement that “Americans have long been collectors of fossils” and that “HR 554 is a poorly crafted bill… and will have a chilling effect on paleontological research.”
The following points are reasons why AAPS cannot support this Bill:
Sec. 5(c) 3 states that “specific locality data will not be released by the permittee or repository without the written permission of the Secretary.” It is against scientific principles to keep scientific data secret. This should be available to all scientists and the general public who own public lands. Except in only the most special circumstance locality data should not be withheld. Science and the public want to know this information.
Sec. 7 (b) states that “a person may not make or submit any false record, account, or label for, or any false identification of, any paleontological resource excavated or removed from Federal lands.” Paleontology is ironically, a field that is not set in stone. What you find and label in the field may not be what you find as preparation is undertaken in the lab. Penalties for misidentification of fossils will place every museum in jeopardy. There is not one museum that is free from labeling errors on specimens on exhibit or in collections.
Sec. 8 (a) 2 (A) states “the scientific or fair market value, whichever is greater, of Paleontological resource involved.” There is no logical scientific or empirical way to assign a dollar amount to scientific value. Only the term fair market value should be used. The market adequately determines the value of a Paleontological specimen. The Dissenting Views agrees with our assessment.
Sec. 9. (b) states that “all vehicles and equipment of any person that were used in connection with the violation, shall be subject to civil forfeiture, or upon conviction, to criminal forfeiture.” Imprisonment and vehicle forfeiture should be reserved for only the most heinous violations. Our government does not need to put scientists in jail and confiscate University vans. We can visualize now a group of students unknowingly crossing over an invisible line and ending up handcuffed and prosecuted. An honest mistake is just that and should be treated accordingly. The Dissenting views states “HR 554 will treat law-abiding citizens as harshly as heroin dealers…” and that “HR 554 punishes violators using means usually reserved for the most heinous crimes.” Is this where the future of fossil discoveries lies?
Sec. 3 (a) states that “the Secretary shall manage and protect Paleontological resources on Federal lands using scientific principles and expertise.” This is exactly what many professional companies, like TPI and other professional members of AAPS, have to offer. We applaud the Bill’s recognition that the Secretary of the Interior has the responsibility to manage and protect paleontological resources on public lands. After so many years of changing policy, this Bill would finally clarify regulation of fossil collecting, and increase public awareness. We are in complete support of the casual collecting exemption. Amateurs are the foot soldiers of paleontology and their activities are to be encouraged. We applaud the recognition that all qualified individuals will be eligible to obtain a permit. In past bills, commercial and amateur collectors were not allowed to obtain permits.
There are still no provisions for the sale of fossils from commercial quarries or surface collecting. These are an important and integral part of the world of paleontology, and a mechanism to provide for the sale of fossils from public lands, like other resources, should have been devised as part of this Bill. Permits are issued for many other types of collecting including forestry products, oil, coal, gravel, fish, wildlife, mining rights, etc. There are no provisions for commercial exploration, collecting, processing and sale of fossils on public lands. Wouldn’t this be a better alternative than fossils disappearing from the world forever?
According the Dissenting Views, “However one feels about people financially gaining from fossil collecting, everyone acknowledges it plays an important role in the paleontology field and most would acknowledge that but for financial gain, many discoveries would not have been made.” The constitution of the Paleontological Society states, “To leave fossils uncollected assures their degradation and ultimate loss to the scientific and educational world through natural processes of weathering and erosion.” The Paleontological Society is an international nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to the advancement of the science of paleontology. The Society was founded in 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Paleontological Society Code of Fossil Collecting states that “the collector(s) will make every effort to have fossil specimens of unique, rare, or exceptional value to the scientific community deposited in or sold to an appropriate institution that will provide for the care, curation, and study of the fossil material.” AAPS Code of Ethics states that “members also strive to place specimens of unique scientific interest into responsible hands for study, research and preservation.”
AAPS Code of Ethics states that members will strive to stay informed and comply with National, State and Local regulations pertaining to collecting activities and general business practices. It also states that members will obtain permission from landowners or governmental authorities to gain access to collecting sites. The code further states that members will assure that all lands, properties, flora and fauna are left without damage to property or ecology as a result of the collecting activities. The Code states that members make no misrepresentation as to the identity, locality, age, formation, repairs or restoration of Paleontological specimens. The Code encourages good relations and cooperation with agencies, institutions, and organizations actively involved in Paleontological pursuits. This is the purpose of AAPS and their continued effort to have positive input into HR 554. The Paleontological Society Code of Fossil Collecting also mirrors many of the AAPS codes.
It is also important to note that our arguments against this legislation are supported by the National Academy of Sciences 1986 report titled “Paleontological Collecting.”
Finally, our voice is being considered. It is time to take these legitimate concerns into consideration and fix this before it becomes a major situation for paleontologists, amateur, professional and academic, around the country. Please think carefully and vote NO on HR 554 in its current state.
Sincerely,
Tracie Bennitt
President, Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences
tracie@trieboldpaleontology.com
719 686-1820 X112
719 641-9541