Below are just some highlights of legislative activity we expect to see on the Hill this week — legislation dropping or moving, committee hearings and bill markups. Keep in mind, all of these are subject to change.
Wednesday, June 4
English Only
On Wednesday, June 4, Representative Mike Honda (D-CA) will introduce the Strengthening Communities Through English and Integration Act in the House. This bill would invest in programs designed to help recent immigrants acquire English language skills and civics education; create financial incentives to employers who offer assistance to their employees to acquire English language skills and civics education, and aid state and local governments in responding to immigrant communities.
FBI Oversight
House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Human Rights Subcommittee will hold a hearing with Department of Justice Inspector General Glenn Fine on his report on the FBI’s role in detainee interrogations.
Federal Court Access
Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the use of federal criminal courts to try terrorists.
Health IT
The Health Subcommittee of House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on discussion drafts of health information technology and privacy legislation.
Medical Care in Detention
The Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law Subcommittee of House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing titled “Problems with Immigration Detainee Medical Care.” The ACLU Washington Legislative Office will be submitting a written statement.
Thursday, June 5
Rendition
Joint Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties and Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights will hold a hearing with current and past Department of Homeland Security Inspectors General on the DHS IG report on the extraordinary rendition of Maher Arar.
Also happening this week:
Information Security
On Wednesday, June 4; Thursday, June 5; and Friday, June 6; the National Institute of Standards and Technology will hold meetings of the Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board to discuss the Federal Information Security Management Act (PL 107-347) implementation, federal initiatives and other issues.
