TODAY’S HEADLINERS
U.S.-China relations — 7:45 p.m. — The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-China Business Council hold a discussion on bilateral trade and investment issues. Chinese Vice Prime Minister Wu Yi participates. Location: The Fairmont Hotel, 2401 M St. NW. Contact: 202/463-5682.
Pentagon memorial — 9 a.m. — The Pentagon Memorial Fund Inc. holds a press conference to launch a public awareness and fund-raising campaign in support of the construction and permanent maintenance of the Pentagon September 11 memorial. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, Virginia Republican and chairman of the Government Reform Committee; Jim Laychak of the fund; Gen. Henry H. Shelton, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and actress Lynda Carter participate. Location: SC-4, U.S. Capitol. Contact: 202/329-1700.
PRESIDENT BUSH
Discusses the environment at an Earth Day event, Wells, Maine. Participates in the EPA’s Presidential Environmental Youth Awards, White House.
ECONOMIC REPORTS
1 p.m. — Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. releases the weekly survey on fixed-rate mortgages. Location: 8200 Jones Branch Drive, McLean. Contact: 703/903-2000.
FEDERAL AGENCIES
9 a.m. — Bureau of the Census holds a meeting of the Census Advisory Committee of Professional Associations. Topics include policy, research and technical issues related to the 2010 census; American Community Survey; and related programs. Location: U.S. Census Bureau, 4700 Silver Hill Road, Suitland. Contact: 301/763-2070.
10 a.m. — Equal Employment Opportunity Commission holds a meeting to consider a final rule exempting the coordination of employer-sponsored retiree health benefits with Medicare eligibility from the ADEA. Location: EEOC Office Building, 1801 L St. NW. Contact: 202/663-4070.
SUPREME COURT
No oral arguments are scheduled. Contact: 202/479-3211.
SENATE
In session. Contact: Republican Cloakroom, 202/224-8601, or Democratic Cloakroom, 202/224-8541.
SENATE COMMITTEES
9:30 a.m. — Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee holds a hearing, “The Preliminary Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.” James Watkins, chairman, U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, testifies. Location: 253 Russell Senate Office Building. Contact: 202/224-1251.
9:30 a.m. — Foreign Relations Committee holds a hearing on “Iraq Transition: Obstacles and Opportunities.” Marc Grossman, undersecretary for political affairs, State Department; Peter Rodman, assistant secretary for international security affairs, Defense Department, testify. Location: 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building. Contact: 202/224-4651.
2 p.m. — Appropriations Committee holds a hearing on the report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. Chairman James Watkins and Commissioners Edward Rasmuson, Paul Sandifer and Andy Rosenberg, U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, testify. Location: 138 Dirksen Senate Office Building. Contact: 202/224-7363.
2:30 p.m. — Judiciary immigration, border security and citizenship subcommittee holds a hearing on “State and Local Authority to Enforce Immigration Law: Evaluating a United Approach for Stopping Terrorists.” Kris Kobacfh, former council to Attorney General John Ashcroft; E.J. Picolom regional director, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Fort Myers, Fla., testify. Location: 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building. Contact: 202/224-5225.
HOUSE
Meets at 9 a.m. and will immediately adjourn to receive former members of Congress. The House will reconvene at 11 a.m. to consider the “Continuity in Representation Act of 2003.” Contact: Republican Cloakroom, 202/225-2020, or Democratic Cloakroom, 202/225-1600.
HOUSE COMMITTEES
10 a.m. — Transportation and Infrastructure aviation subcommittee holds a hearing, “A Review of the Airport Screener Privatization Pilot Program.” David Stone, acting administrator, Transportation Security Administration; Clark Kent Ervin, inspector general, Homeland Security Department, testify. Location: 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. Contact: 202/225-9446.
1 p.m. — Appropriations legislative subcommittee holds a hearing on fiscal 2005 appropriations for the U.S. House of Representatives. Jeff Trandahl, House clerk; Wilson Livingood, sergeant at arms; and Jay Eagen, chief administrative officer, testify. Location: H-140, U.S. Capitol. Contact: 202/225-2771.
2 p.m. — Judiciary Constitution subcommittee holds an oversight hearing on “Legal Threats to Traditional Marriage: Implications for Public Policy.” Dwight Duncan, Southern New England School of Law; Lincoln Oliphant, Marriage Law Project, Catholic University of America, testify. Location: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building. Contact: 202/225-3951.
GENERAL AGENDA
Newspaper conference — all day — The Newspaper Association of America and the American Society of Newspaper Editors hold a joint conference, their 2004 annual convention.
Highlights — 1 p.m. — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld
Location: Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St. NW. Contact: 703/902-1600.
Discussion with ambassadors — 8:30 a.m. — B’nai B’rith International’s Center for Public Policy holds a discussion with ambassadors to the United States from the 10 European countries joining the European Union May 1, including Elena Poptodorova, ambassador, Republic of Bulgaria; Euripides Evriviades, Republic of Cyprus; Martin Palous, ambassador, Czech Republic; Juri Luik, ambassador, Republic of Estonia. Location: Park Hyatt, Grand Ballroom, 1201 24th St. NW. Contact: 202/857-2711 or 703/475-2332.
Oceans and coasts — 9:30 a.m. — U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy holds a news briefing to release a report “Oceans and Coasts in Serious Trouble.” Location: 253 Russell Senate Office Building. Contact: 703/276-2772, ext. 11 or 703/276- 2772, ext. 21.
Signing ceremony — 9:30 a.m. — Homeland Security Department’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection holds a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding with European Union officials to enhance cooperation and mutual assistance on customs matters. Robert Bonner, commissioner, CBP, participates. Location: Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Contact: 202/282-8010.
Medicare fraud — 10 a.m. — Congress holds a news briefing to recognize eight whistleblowers who have recovered more than $3 billion for the Treasury Department, discuss the importance of fighting potential fraud in the new Medicare prescription-drug program and discuss legislation to empower IRS whistleblowers. Sen. Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Republican, chairman, Finance Committee; Mark McClellan, Center for Medicare and Medicaid; Dara Corrigan, HHS; Peter Keisler, Justice Department, participate. Location: 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building. Contact: 202/224-4515.
Holocaust Memorial Museum — 11 a.m. — The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum holds a day of remembrance. Ruth Bader Ginsbrug, associate justice, U.S. Supreme Court; Elie Weisel, Ruth Mandel and Fred Zeidman, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, participate. Location: Rotunda, U.S. Capitol. Contact: 202/488-6133.
Current situation in Iraq — 12:30 p.m. — Council on Foreign Relations hosts an address on the current situation in Iraq. Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, chairman, Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, participates. Location: CFR, 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Contact: RSVP required by 9 a.m. today; 212/434-9716.
Compiled by FIND/AFP and The Washington Times
