[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 7, 2009)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D789-D790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                              Tuesday, July 7, 2009

[[Page D789]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senator-Elect Al Franken, of Minnesota, was administered the oath 
      of office by the Vice President.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S7153-S7216
Measures Introduced: Eight bills and two resolutions were introduced, 
as follows: S. 1400-1407, and S. Res. 208-209.           
  Pages S7192-93
Measures Reported:
  H.R. 2996, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, 
environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2010, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. 
No. 111-38)
  S. 1406, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, 
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. (S. Rept. No. 111-39)
  S. 1407, making appropriations for military construction, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2010. (S. Rept. No. 111-40)        
Page S7192
Measures Passed:
  Majority Party Committee Membership: Senate agreed to S. Res. 208, to 
constitute the majority party's membership on certain committees for 
the One Hundred Eleventh Congress, or until their successors are 
chosen.                                                      
  Page S7168
  Decade of Vision: Senate agreed to S. Res. 209, recognizing the 40th 
anniversary of the National Eye Institute and expressing support for 
designation of the years 2011 through 2020 as the ``Decade of Vision''.
                                                         Pages S7214-15
Measures Considered:
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act: Senate began 
consideration of H.R. 2892, making appropriations for the Department of 
Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, taking 
action on the following amendments proposed thereto: 
                                               Pages S7164-67, S7168-82
Rejected:
  By 47 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 218), McCain Amendment No. 1400 (to 
Amendment No. 1373), to eliminate the appropriation for the Over-the-
Road Bus Security Assistance, as recommended by the Administration. 
                                                  Pages S7172-74, S7178
Pending:
  Reid (for Byrd/Inouye) Amendment No. 1373, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                    
Pages S7164-67, S7168-82
  Sessions Amendment No. 1371 (to Amendment No. 1373), to make the 
pilot program for employment eligibility confirmation for aliens 
permanent and to improve verification of immigration status of 
employees.                                     
Pages S7166-67, S7168-72
  DeMint Amendment No. 1399 (to Amendment No 1373), to require the 
completion of at least 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the 
southwest border by December 31, 2010.                       
Page S7172
  Feingold Amendment No. 1402 (to Amendment No. 1373), to require 
grants for Emergency Operations Centers and financial assistance for 
the predisaster mitigation program to be awarded without regard to 
earmarks.                                                
Pages S7179-82
  A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further 
consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, 
July 8, 2009, and that there be 5 minutes for debate prior to a vote on 
or in relation to Sessions Amendment No. 1371 (listed above), with the 
time equally divided and controlled between Senators Schumer and 
Sessions, or their designees; provided that upon disposition of 
Sessions Amendment No. 1371 (listed above), Senate resume consideration 
of DeMint Amendment No. 1399 (listed above), with two minutes of debate 
prior to a vote on or in relation thereto, with the time equally 
divided and controlled between Senators Murray and DeMint, or their 
designees; provided further, that no amendment be in order to any of 
the amendments covered in this agreement prior to a vote on or in 
relation to the amendments.                                  
Page S7177

[[Page D790]]

Announcements:
  Committee Assignments: The Majority Leader announced, in accordance 
with S. Res. 18, that the following Democratic member has been assigned 
to the following committees:
  Committee on Indian Affairs: Senator Franken.
  Select Committee on Aging: Senator Franken.                
Page S7168
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  Susan L. Kurland, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
Transportation.
  Matthew Winthrop Barzun, of Kentucky, to be Ambassador to Sweden.
  William Carlton Eacho III, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the 
Republic of Austria.
  Fay Hartog-Levin, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of the 
Netherlands.
  Patricia Newton Moller, of Arkansas, to be Ambassador to the Republic 
of Guinea.
  Michael H. Posner, of New York, to be Assistant Secretary of State 
for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
  Stephen J. Rapp, of Iowa, to be Ambassador at Large for War Crimes 
Issues.
  Alexa E. Posny, of Kansas, to be Assistant Secretary for Special 
Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education.
  Alexander G. Garza, of Missouri, to be Assistant Secretary for Health 
Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Department of Homeland Security.
  1 Army nomination in the rank of general.              
Pages S7215-16
Measures Placed on the Calendar:                             
  Page S7190
Executive Communications:                                
  Pages S7190-92
Executive Reports of Committees:                             
  Page S7192
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S7193-94
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:           
  Pages S7195-S7200
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S7189-90
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S7200-13
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:                            
  Pages S7213-14
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S7214
Privileges of the Floor:                                     
  Page S7214
Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--218) 
                                                             Page S7178
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:06 p.m., 
until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2009. (For Senate's program, see 
the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S7215.)