Media

Today the House will consider the Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act, which was introduced by Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank in March. Yesterday the Financial Services Committee issued the following release on the bill, and we will have further coverage this afternoon:

The Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight has just concluded a joint hearing with the Subcommittee on Europe: "Extraordinary Rendition in U.S. Counterterrorism Policy: The Impact on Transatlantic Relations." Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Bill Delahunt gives opening remarks:

Subcommittee Chairman Bill Delahunt: "People across the globe have admired our historical commitment to freedom and the rule of law. But they are appalled at our hypocrisy when we betray our values."

Background:

Deported Terror Suspect Details Torture in Syria

Washington, D.C. -- House floor action this week on the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2007 is the latest by the Democratic-led Congress to help ensure that American taxpayers get an effective and efficient government at the most affordable cost.

"As Americans pay our taxes this week, we deserve a government that reflects our priorities for the future, but also respects the value of taxpayer dollars," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "From taxpayer protections, to "pay-as-you-go" spending discipline, to reforms in government contracting, Democrats are restoring accountability and fiscal responsibility to Washington."

From the Judiciary Committee:

Chairman Conyers Calls for Review of Executive Compensation in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases

(Washington)- Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) heard from witnesses at today's Constitution and Administrative Law (CAL) Subcommittee hearing on "Executive Compensation in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases: How Much Is Too Much?" A major concern in Chapter 11 cases is the frequency with which workers and unions are asked to make sacrifices while executives are rewarded.

The Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Rep. Bart Gordon, today heard from several of the world's leading climate change scientists on the coming affects of global warming in the context of a just-released report, Climate Change 2007: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, prepared by Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

From the Science Committee release:

From the Judiciary Committee:

House Judiciary Committee to Vote on Granting former Justice Official Monica Goodling Immunity

(Washington, DC)-House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) scheduled a meeting of the Committee for TOMORROW, April 18, at 10:15 a.m. to consider granting immunity to ex-Department of Justice-White House Liaison Monica Goodling, in order to secure her testimony about the U.S. Attorney matter. Two-thirds of the Committee must approve immunity.

The Oversight Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs is holding a hearing to examine the Pentagon's subsequent response to the Subcommittee's March 5 field hearing on allegations of unacceptable care and living conditions of wounded soldiers housed at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This hearing will also be an opportunity to explore what is being done about broader systemic problems identified throughout the Defense Department medical care system.

This hearing will be the first opportunity for any Congressional Committee to hear from -- and to question -- the Independent Review Group (IRG), which was set up by Defense Secretary Gates to provide recommendations to fix the problems at Walter Reed, Bethesda Naval Medical Center, and other Defense Department medical facilities.