[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 61 (Thursday, April 26, 2012)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D408-D411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                           Thursday, April 26, 2012

[[Page D408]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed S. 1925, Violence Against Women Reauthorization 
      Act, as amended.
      Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 43, Adjournment Resolution.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S2745-S2890
Measures Introduced: One hundred thirty-eight bills and nine 
resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2370-2507, S. Res. 440-446, 
and S. Con. Res. 42-43.                                  
  Pages S2821-24
Measures Reported:
  S. 2375, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, 
Food and Drug Administration, and related Agencies programs for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2013. (S. Rept. No. 112-163)
  S. 2465, making appropriations for energy and water development and 
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013. (S. 
Rept. No. 112-164)
  H.R. 1016, to measure the progress of relief, recovery, 
reconstruction, and development efforts in Haiti following the 
earthquake of January 12, 2010.
  S. Res. 401, expressing appreciation for Foreign Service and Civil 
Service professionals who represent the United States around the globe.
  S. 2224, to require the President to report to Congress on issues 
related to Syria.                                            
Page S2819
Measures Passed:
  Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act: By 68 yeas to 31 nays 
(Vote No. 87), Senate passed S. 1925, to reauthorize the Violence 
Against Women Act of 1994, after withdrawing the committee-reported 
substitute amendment, and taking action on the following amendments 
proposed thereto:                              
  Pages S2745-57, S2761-99
Adopted:
  Reid (for Leahy) Amendment No. 2093, in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                  Pages S2772-89, S2798
Rejected:
  By 57 yeas to 41 nays (Vote No. 84), Klobuchar Amendment No. 2094 (to 
Amendment No. 2093), to provide Debbie Smith grants for auditing sexual 
assault evidence backlogs. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that the amendment, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative 
votes, the amendment was not agreed to.)                 
Pages S2795-96
  By 50 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 85), Cornyn Amendment No. 2086 (to 
Amendment No. 2093), to amend title 18 of the United States Code and 
other provisions of law to strengthen provisions of the Violence 
Against Women Act and improve justice for crime victims. (A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having 
failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, the amendment was not agreed 
to.)                                           
Pages S2789-92, S2796-97
  By 37 yeas to 62 nays (Vote No. 86), Hutchison Amendment No. 2095 (to 
Amendment No. 2093), in the nature of a substitute. (A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having 
failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, the amendment was not agreed 
to.)                                           
Pages S2792-95, S2797-98
  Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building: Senate 
passed H.R. 298, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, 
as the ``Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building''. 
                                                             Page S2885
  Specialist Micheal E. Phillips Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 1423, 
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 115 4th Avenue Southwest in Ardmore, Oklahoma, as the ``Specialist 
Micheal E. Phillips Post Office''.                           
  Page S2885
  John J. Cook Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 2079, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10 Main Street 
in East Rockaway, New York, as the ``John J. Cook Post Office''. 
                                                             Page S2885

[[Page D409]]

  Sergeant Jason W. Vaughn Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 2213, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
801 West Eastport Street in Iuka, Mississippi, as the ``Sergeant Jason 
W. Vaughn Post Office''.                                     
  Page S2885
  Corporal Steven Blaine Riccione Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 2244, 
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 67 Castle Street in Geneva, New York, as the ``Corporal Steven 
Blaine Riccione Post Office''.                               
  Page S2885
  Tomball Veterans Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 2660, to designate 
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 122 North 
Holderrieth Boulevard in Tomball, Texas, as the ``Tomball Veterans Post 
Office''.                                                    
  Page S2886
  William T. Trant Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 2767, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8 
West Silver Street in Westfield, Massachusetts, as the ``William T. 
Trant Post Office Building''.                                
  Page S2886
  Private First Class Alejandro R. Ruiz Post Office Building: Senate 
passed H.R. 3004, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 260 California Drive in Yountville, California, as 
the ``Private First Class Alejandro R. Ruiz Post Office Building''. 
                                                             Page S2886
  Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 
3246, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the 
``Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building''.        
  Page S2886
  Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building: Senate 
passed H.R. 3247, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, 
Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office 
Building''.                                                  
  Page S2886
  Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building: Senate passed 
H.R. 3248, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as 
the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building''. 
                                                             Page S2886
  Public Service Recognition Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 419, 
expressing the sense of the Senate that public servants should be 
commended for their dedication and continued service to the United 
States during Public Service Recognition week.               
  Page S2886
  National Youth Traffic Safety Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 441, 
expressing support for the designation of May 2012 as National Youth 
Traffic Safety Month.                                        
  Page S2887
  Arbor Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 442, celebrating the 140th 
anniversary of Arbor Day.                                    
  Page S2887
  Honoring the Life of Auxiliary Bishop Agustin Roman: Senate agreed to 
S. Res. 443, honoring the life and legacy of Auxiliary Bishop Agustin 
Roman.                                                       
  Page S2887
  National Physical Education and Sport Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
444, designating the week of May 1 through May 7, 2012, as ``National 
Physical Education and Sport Week''.                     
  Pages S2887-88
  Silver Star Service Banner Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 445, 
expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2012, as ``Silver Star 
Service Banner Day''.                                        
  Page S2888
  Adjournment Resolution: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 43, providing 
for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an 
adjournment of the House of Representatives.                 
  Page S2888
Measures Considered:
Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act--Cloture: Senate began 
consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2343, to 
amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend the reduced interest 
rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans.               
  Pages S2799-S2807
   A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to 
proceed to consideration of the bill, and, in accordance with the 
provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and 
pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of Thursday, April 26, 
2012, a vote on cloture will occur at 12 p.m., on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.
                                                             Page S2799
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 
approximately 2 p.m., on Monday, May 7, 2012, Senate resume 
consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. 
                                                             Page S2799
Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that from Thursday, April 26, 2012 through Monday, May 7, 
2012, the Majority Leader be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or 
joint resolutions.                                           
  Page S2888
Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding the 
upcoming recess or adjournment of the Senate, the President of the 
Senate, the President Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority 
Leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions,

[[Page D410]]

committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences 
authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order 
of the Senate.                                               
  Page S2888
Pro Forma Sessions--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that the Senate adjourn and convene for pro forma 
session only, with no business conducted, on the following dates and 
times, and that following each pro forma session, the Senate adjourn 
until the next pro forma session: Monday, April 30, 2012, at 10:30 
a.m.; Thursday May 3, 2012, at 8:30 a.m., and that the Senate adjourn 
on Thursday, May 3, 2012, until 2 p.m., on Monday, May 7, 2012, unless 
the Senate has received a message from the House of Representatives 
that it has adopted S. Con. Res. 43, which will be the adjournment 
resolution, and if the Senate has received such message, the Senate 
adjourn until Monday, May 7, 2012, at 2 p.m., under the provisions of 
S. Con. Res. 43.                                             
  Page S2888
Nguyen, Baker, and Lee Nominations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time 
agreement was reached providing that at 4:30 p.m., on Monday, May 7, 
2012, Senate will begin consideration of the following nominations: 
Jacqueline H. Nguyen, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge 
for the Ninth Circuit, Kristine Gerhard Baker, of Arkansas, to be 
United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and 
John Z. Lee, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the 
Northern District of Illinois; that there be 60 minutes for debate 
equally divided in the usual form; that upon the use or yielding back 
of time, Senate vote, without intervening action or debate, on 
confirmation of the nominations in the order listed; and that no 
further motions be in order.                                 
  Page S2888
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
  By 97 yeas to 2 nays (Vote No. EX. 83), Gregg Jeffrey Costa, of 
Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of 
Texas.                                                   
Pages S2757-61
  David Campos Guaderrama, of Texas, to be United States District Judge 
for the Western District of Texas.                       
Pages S2757-61
  Jane D. Hartley, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service for a 
term expiring October 6, 2014.
  Adam E. Namm, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Ecuador.
  Mary B. Verner, of Washington, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences for a term 
expiring September 7, 2012.
  Mary B. Verner, of Washington, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences for a term 
expiring September 7, 2015.
  Susan A. Maxman, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences for a term 
expiring September 7, 2012.
  Susan A. Maxman, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences for a term 
expiring September 7, 2015.
  Michael T. Scuse, of Delaware, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture 
for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.
  Michael T. Scuse, of Delaware, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation.
  James T. Ryan, of Utah, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of 
the National Institute of Building Sciences for a term expiring 
September 7, 2013.
  James Timberlake, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences for a term 
expiring September 7, 2014.
  Adam Gamoran, of Wisconsin, to be a Member of the Board of Directors 
of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring 
November 28, 2015.
  Judith D. Singer, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term 
expiring November 28, 2014.
  Bonnie L. Bassler, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the National 
Science Board, National Science Foundation for a term expiring May 10, 
2016.
  Mark William Lippert, of Ohio, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
Defense.
  Hirokazu Yoshikawa, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term 
expiring November 28, 2015.
  David James Chard, of Texas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors 
of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring 
November 28, 2015.
  Tony Hammond, of Missouri, to be a Commissioner of the Postal 
Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring October 
14, 2012.
  Mark A. Robbins, of California, to be a Member of the Merit Systems 
Protection Board for the term of seven years expiring March 1, 2018.
  Deborah S. Delisle, of South Carolina, to be Assistant Secretary for 
Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education.

[[Page D411]]


  7 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
  12 Army nominations in the rank of general.
  19 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral.
  Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. 
                                                         Pages S2807-09
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  Sean Sullivan, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Defense Nuclear 
Facilities Safety Board for a term expiring October 18, 2015.
  Timothy M. Broas, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of the 
Netherlands.
  Richard L. Morningstar, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the 
Republic of Azerbaijan.
  Routine lists in the Foreign Service, and Public Health Service. 
                                                         Pages S2888-90
Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of 
the following nominations:
  Thomas M. Beck, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Mediation 
Board for a term expiring July 1, 2013, which was sent to the Senate on 
January 5, 2011.
  Matthew J. Bryza, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Azerbaijan (Recess Appointment), which was sent to the Senate on 
January 26, 2011.                                            
Page S2890
Messages from the House:                                     
  Page S2816
Measures Referred:                                       
  Pages S2816-17
Executive Communications:                                
  Pages S2817-19
Executive Reports of Committees:                         
  Pages S2820-21
Additional Cosponsors:                                    
  Page S2824-26
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S2826-40
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S2812-16
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S2840-84
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S2885
Privileges of the Floor:                                     
  Page S2885
Record Votes: Five record votes were taken today. (Total--87) 
                                           Pages S2761, S2796-97, S2799
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned, pursuant to 
the provisions of S. Con. Res. 43, at 7:13 p.m., until 10:30 a.m. on 
Monday, April 30, 2012 (Unless the Senate has received a message from 
the House of Representatives that the House has adopted S. Con. Res. 
43, Adjournment Resolution. And if the Senate has received such a 
message, the Senate stand adjourned until 2 p.m., on Monday, May 7, 
2012.) (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in 
today's Record on page S2888.)