Blinded Veterans Continuum of Care Act of 2005

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 28, 2005, at 9:30 a.m., in open session to consider the following nominations: Lieutenant General Norton A. Schwartz, USAF, for appointment to the grade of general and to be Commander, U.S. Transportation Command; Dr. Ronald M. Sega to be Under Secretary of the Air Force; Mr. Philip Jackson Bell to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness; Mr. John G. Grimes to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration; Mr. Keith E. Eastin to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment; Mr. William C. Anderson to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics.

The presiding officer. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Committee on Banking Housing, and Urban Affairs

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at 10 a.m. to mark up S. 190 ``The Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005'', as amended by the Committee Print; S. 705 ``Meeting the Housing and Service Needs of Seniors Act of 2005;'' H.R. 804 ``To Exclude From Consideration as Income Certain Payments Under the National Flood Insurance Program;'' S. 1047 ``The Presidential $1.00 Coin Act of 2005,'' and pending nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at 10 a.m., on pending committee business.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at 2:30 p.m., on issues related to MGM v. Grokster and the appropriate balance between copyright protection and communications technology innovation, in SR-253.

Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct an oversight hearing on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a markup on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. in Senate Dirksen Office Building Room 226.

Agenda

I. Bills: S. 1088, Streamlined Procedures Act of 2005, Kyl, Cornyn, Grassley, Hatch; S. 103, Combat Meth Act of 2005, Talent, Feinstein,

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veteran's Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 28, 2005, for a markup to consider the following:

Nomination of James Philip Terry to be Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans' Affairs and Charles S. Ciccolella to be Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training, Department of Labor.

Pending Legislation as follows:

A. Committee Print of S. 1182, the ``Veterans' Health Care Improvements Act of 2005'', incorporating provisions derived from S. 1182, as introduced; S. 1177; S. 1189; and S. 1190.

B. S. 716, the ``Vet Center Enhancement Act of 2005''.

C. S. 1234, the ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2005''.

D. Committee Print of S. 1235, the ``Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2005'', incorporating provisions derived from S. 1235, as introduced; S. 552; S. 917; S. 151; S. 1259; S. 1271; and S. 423.

The markup will take place in Room 418 of the Russell Senate Office Building at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on National Parks be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 28 at 10 a.m.

The purpose of the hearings is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 584 and H.R. 432, bills to require the secretary of the interior to allow the continued occupancy and use of certain land and improvements within rocky mountain National Parks; S. 652, a bill to provide financial assistance for the rehabilitation of the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial in Philadelphia, PA, and the development of an exhibit to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin; S. 958, a bill to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Star-Spangled Banner Trail in the states of Maryland and Virginia and the District of Columbia as a national historic trail; S. 1154, a bill to extend the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission, to provide improved visitor services at the park, and for other purposes; S. 1166, a bill to extend the authorization of the Kalaupapa National Historical Park Advisory Commission; and S. 1436, a bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of maritime sites in the states of Michigan.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on September 15, 2005, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Mr. Keith E. Gottfried, of California, to be General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Mr. Israel Hernandez, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service; Mr. Darryl W. Jackson, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce; Ms. Kim Kendrick, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Mr. Franklin L. Lavin, of Ohio, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade; Mr. David H. McCormick, of Pennsylvania, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration; Mr. Keith A. Nelson, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and Ms. Darlene F. Williams, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, September 15, 2005, at 2 p.m. to hold a hearing on U.S.- Indonesia Relations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Thursday, September 15, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. to consider the nominations of Stewart A. Baker to be Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, and Julie L. Myers to be Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on the nomination of John G. Roberts to be Chief Justice of the United States on Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 9:30 a.m., in the Hart Senate Office Building Room 216.

Witness List

Panel I: Stephen L. Tober, Esq., Chairman, American Bar Association, Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, Portsmouth, NH; Tom Hayward, Esq., Past-Chairman, American Bar Association, Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, Chicago, IL; Pamela A. Bresnahan, Esq., DC Circuit Representative, American Bar Association, Washington,

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, September 15, 2005, to mark up the following bills: Committee Print of S. 1182, Chairman Larry E. Craig, the ``Veterans Health Care Improvements Act of 2005,'' incorporating original provisions and provisions derived from S. 1182, as introduced; S. 1177; S. 1189; and S. 1190; and

S. 716, Ranking Member Daniel K. Akaka, the ``Vet Center Enhancement Act of 2005. The markup will take place in Room 418 of the Russell Senate Office Building at 10 a.m.