[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D902-D907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                         Friday, September 21, 2012

[[Page D902]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed H.J. Res. 117, Continuing Appropriations 
      Resolution.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S6559-S6686
Measures Introduced: Eighteen bills and fifteen resolutions were 
introduced, as follows: S. 3608-3625, and S. Res. 575-589. 
                                                         Pages S6625-26
Measures Reported:
  H.R. 2467, to take certain Federal lands in Mono County, California, 
into trust for the benefit of the Bridgeport Indian Colony. 
                                                             Page S6625
Measures Passed:
  Sense of Congress Regarding Iran: By 90 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 197), 
Senate passed S.J. Res. 41, expressing the sense of Congress regarding 
the nuclear program of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 
                                                         Pages S6601-03
  Continuing Appropriations Resolution: By 62 yeas to 30 nays (Vote No. 
199), Senate passed H.J.Res. 117, making continuing appropriations for 
fiscal year 2013, after taking action on the following amendments and 
motions proposed thereto:                                
  Pages S6603-04
Withdrawn:
  Reid Amendment No. 2844, to change the enactment date.     
Page S6604
  Reid Amendment No. 2845 (to Amendment No. 2844), of a perfecting 
nature.                                                      
Page S6604
  Reid motion to commit the joint resolution to the Committee on 
Appropriations, with instructions, Reid Amendment No. 2846, to change 
the enactment date.                                          
Page S6604
  Reid Amendment No. 2847 (to (the instructions) Amendment No. 2846), 
of a perfecting nature.                                      
Page S6604
  Reid Amendment No. 2848 (to Amendment No. 2847), of a perfecting 
nature.                                                      
Page S6604
  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 62 yeas to 30 nays (Vote No. 198), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed 
to the motion to close further debate on the joint resolution. 
                                                         Pages S6603-04
  European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act: Senate 
passed S. 1956, to prohibit operators of civil aircraft of the United 
States from participating in the European Union's emissions trading 
scheme, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, and the following amendments proposed thereto: 
                                                         Pages S6611-12
  Reid (for Cardin) Amendment No. 2859, to prohibit the use of taxpayer 
dollars to pay taxes and penalties imposed on United States air 
carriers pursuant to the European Union emissions trading scheme. 
                                                            Pages S6611
  Reid (for Merkley) Amendment No. 2860, to provide for the 
reassessment by the Secretary of Transportation of a determination that 
it is in the public interest to prohibit operators of civil aircraft of 
the United States from participating in the European Union's emissions 
trading scheme.                                              
Page S6611
  Enabling Energy Saving Innovations Act: Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 
4850, to allow for innovations and alternative technologies that meet 
or exceed desired energy efficiency goals, and the bill was then 
passed, after agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto: 
                                                         Pages S6661-64
  Pryor (for Bingaman) Amendment No. 2861, relative to Uniform 
Efficiency Descriptor for Covered Water Heaters.         
Pages S6611-64
  Pryor (for Shaheen/Portman) Amendment No. 2862, relative to 
Industrial Energy Efficiency.                            
Pages S6661-64
  Jaime Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act: Senate 
passed H.R. 915, to establish a Border Enforcement Security Task Force 
program to enhance border security by fostering coordinated efforts 
among Federal, State, and local border

[[Page D903]]

and law enforcement officials to protect United States border cities 
and communities from trans-national crime, including violence 
associated with drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal alien 
trafficking and smuggling, violence, and kidnapping along and across 
the international borders of the United States, after agreeing to the 
committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.       
  Pages S6664-65
  Trademark Dilution Correction: Committee on the Judiciary was 
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 6215, to amend the 
Trademark Act of 1946 to correct an error in the provisions relating to 
remedies for dilution, and the bill was then passed.         
  Page S6665
  Billfish Conservation Act: Senate passed H.R. 2706, to prohibit the 
sale of billfish.                                            
  Page S6665
  Former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko: Senate agreed to 
S. Res. 466, calling for the release from prison of former Prime 
Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko, after agreeing to the committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment 
proposed thereto:                                        
  Pages S6665-66
  Pryor (for Durbin) Amendment No. 2863, to improve the resolution. 
                                                             Page S6666
  Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse: Senate passed H.R. 3556, 
to designate the new United States courthouse in Buffalo, New York, as 
the ``Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse''.          
  Page S6666
  Alto Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse: Senate passed H.R. 
1791, to designate the United States courthouse under construction at 
101 South United States Route 1 in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the ``Alto 
Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse''.                  
  Page S6666
  Robert Boochever United States Courthouse: Senate passed H.R. 4347, 
to designate the United States courthouse located at 709 West 9th 
Street in Juneau, Alaska, as the ``Robert Boochever United States 
Courthouse''.                                            
  Pages S6666-67
  James F. Battin United States Courthouse: Senate passed S. 3311, to 
designate the United States courthouse located at 2601 2nd Avenue 
North, Billings, Montana, as the ``James F. Battin United States 
Courthouse''.                                                
  Page S6667
  Multistake Governance Model: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 50, 
expressing the sense of Congress regarding actions to preserve and 
advance the multistakeholder governance model under which the Internet 
has thrived.                                                 
  Page S6667
  Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act: Senate passed S. 3486, to 
implement the provisions of the Hague Agreement and the Patent Law 
Treaty, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.                                              
  Pages S6667-70
  Barona Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Clarification Act: 
Senate passed S. 3193, to make technical corrections to the legal 
description of certain land to be held in trust for the Barona Band of 
Mission Indians, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed 
thereto:                                                     
  Page S6670
  Pryor (for Akaka) Amendment No. 2864, in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                             Page S6670
  Burma: Senate passed H.R. 6431, to provide flexibility with respect 
to United States support for assistance provided by international 
financial institutions for Burma.                        
  Pages S6670-71
  Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act: Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2453, 
to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration 
of Mark Twain, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the 
following amendment proposed thereto:                        
  Page S6671
  Pryor (for Blumenthal) Amendment No. 2865, relative to Mark Twain 
coins.                                                       
Page S6671
  FDA User Fees: Senate passed H.R. 6433, to make corrections with 
respect to Food and Drug Administration user fees.           
  Page S6671
  NASA Artifacts: Senate passed H.R. 4158, to confirm full ownership 
rights for certain United States astronauts to artifacts from the 
astronauts' space missions.                                  
  Page S6671
  SAFE DOSES Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from 
further consideration of H.R. 4223, to amend title 18, United States 
Code, to prohibit theft of medical products, and the bill was then 
passed.                                                      
  Page S6671
  VA Major Construction Authorization and Expiring Authorities 
Extension Act: Senate passed H.R. 6375, to authorize certain Department 
of Veterans Affairs major medical facility projects, to amend title 38, 
United States Code, to extend certain authorities of the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs.                                            
  Page S6671
  GAO Mandates Revision Act: Senate passed S. 3315, to repeal or modify 
certain mandates of the Government Accountability Office, after 
agreeing to the committee amendment, and the following amendment 
proposed thereto:                                        
  Pages S6671-72
  Pryor (for Lieberman) Amendment No. 2866, to improve the bill. 
                                                             Page S6672
  Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act: Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration 
of

[[Page D904]]

H.R. 2838, to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal 
years 2013 through 2014, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing 
to the following amendments proposed thereto:                
  Page S6673
  Pryor (for Rockefeller) Amendment No. 2867, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                  
Page S6673
  Pryor (for Rockefeller) Amendment No. 2868, to amend the title. 
                                                             Page S6673
  Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review Act: Senate passed S. 
3341, to require a quadrennial diplomacy and development review. 
                                                         Pages S6673-74
  Divisional Realignment Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged 
from further consideration of H.R. 5512, to amend title 28, United 
States Code, to realign divisions within two judicial districts, and 
the bill was then passed.                                    
  Page S6674
  Reporting Efficiency Improvement Act: Committee on the Judiciary was 
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 6189, to eliminate 
unnecessary reporting requirements for unfunded programs under the 
Office of Justice Programs, and the bill was then passed.    
  Page S6674
  Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act: Senate 
passed H.R. 1272, to provide for the use and distribution of the funds 
awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, et al, by the United States 
Court of Federal Claims in Docket Numbers 19 and 188.        
  Page S6674
  Lowell National Historical Park Land Exchange Act: Senate passed H.R. 
2240, to authorize the exchange of land or interest in land between 
Lowell National Historical Park and the city of Lowell in the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.                               
  Page S6674
  New York City Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Act: Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 
2606, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to allow the 
construction and operation of natural gas pipeline facilities in the 
Gateway National Recreation Area, and the bill was then passed, after 
agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:    
  Pages S6674-75
  Pryor (for Bingaman) Amendment No. 2869, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                              
Pages S6674-75
  Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act: 
Senate passed H.R. 2139, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to 
mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of 
Lions Clubs International.                                   
  Page S6675
  Commercial Driver's Licenses: Senate passed S. 3624, to amend section 
31311 of title 49, United States Code, to permit States to issue 
commercial driver's licenses to members of the Armed Forces whose duty 
station is located in the State.                             
  Page S6675
  Internet Publication Date Requirements: Senate passed S. 3625, to 
change the effective date for the internet publication of certain 
information to prevent harm to the national security or endangering the 
military officers and civilian employees to whom the publication 
requirement applies.                                     
  Pages S6675-76
  100th Anniversary of Hadassah: Committee on the Judiciary was 
discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 448, recognizing the 
100th anniversary of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of 
America, Inc., and the resolution was then agreed to. 
                                                     Pages S6676, S6679
  Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans Day: Committee on the Judiciary 
was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 472, designating 
October 7, 2012, as ``Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans Day'', and 
the resolution was then agreed to, after agreeing to the following 
amendment proposed thereto:                                  
  Page S6676
  Pryor (for Enzi) Amendment No. 2870, to update the number of patriots 
in the United States Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice 
while serving in Afghanistan.                                
Page S6676
  United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams: Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration 
of S. Res. 558, congratulating the athletes from the State of Nevada 
and throughout the United States who participated in the 2012 Olympic 
and Paralympic Games as members of the United States Olympic and 
Paralympic Teams, and the resolution was then agreed to. 
                                                         Pages S6676-78
  National Save for Retirement Week: Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of S. 
Res. 555, supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Save for 
Retirement Week'', including raising public awareness of the various 
tax-preferred retirement vehicles and increasing personal financial 
literacy, and the resolution was then agreed to.         
  Pages S6677-78
  National Native American Heritage Month: Committee on Indian Affairs 
was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 561, recognizing 
National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages 
and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of Native 
Americans to the United States, and the resolution was then agreed to. 
                                                             Page S6679
  50th Anniversary of the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act: 
Senate agreed to S. Res. 576, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 
signing of

[[Page D905]]

Public Law 87-788, an Act commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis 
Cooperative Forestry Act.                                
  Pages S6679-84
  First Special Service Force: Senate agreed to S. Res. 577, honoring 
the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service 
during World War II.                                     
  Pages S6679-84
  Red Ribbon Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 578, supporting the goals 
and ideals of Red Ribbon Week, 2012.                     
  Pages S6679-84
  National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week: Senate 
agreed to S. Res. 579, designating the week of September 24 through 
September 28, 2012, as ``National Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities Week''.                                     
  Pages S6679-84
  National Wildlife Refuge Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 580, 
designating the week beginning on October 14, 2012, as ``National 
Wildlife Refuge Week''.                                  
  Pages S6679-84
  Day of the Deployed: Senate agreed to S. Res. 581, designating 
October 26, 2012, as ``Day of the Deployed''.            
  Pages S6679-84
  Hispanic Heritage Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 582, recognizing 
Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of 
Latinos in the United States and the immense contributions of Latinos 
to the United States.                                    
  Pages S6679-84
  National Preparedness Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 583, 
designating September 2012 as ``National Preparedness Month''. 
                                                         Pages S6679-84
  Jumpstart's Read for the Record Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 584, 
designating October 4, 2012, as ``Jumpstart's Read for the Record 
Day''.                                                   
  Pages S6679-84
  State of New Mexico's Centennial Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. 
Res. 585, recognizing the extraordinary history and heritage of the 
State of New Mexico, and honoring and commending the State of New 
Mexico and its people on its centennial anniversary.     
  Pages S6679-84
  National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
586, expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Infant 
Mortality Awareness Month, 2012.                         
  Pages S6679-84
  Lights on Afterschool: Senate agreed to S. Res. 587, supporting 
``Lights on Afterschool'', a national celebration of afterschool 
programs.                                                
  Pages S6679-84
  Honoring United States Ambassador to Libya John Christopher Stevens, 
Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
588, commending the 4 American public servants who died in Benghazi, 
Libya, United States Ambassador to Libya John Christopher Stevens, Sean 
Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty, for their tireless efforts on 
behalf of the American people, and condemning the violent attack on the 
United States consulate in Benghazi.                     
  Pages S6679-84
  Small Business Saturday: Senate agreed to S. Res. 589, designating 
November 24, 2012, as ``Small Business Saturday'' and supporting 
efforts to increase awareness of the value of locally owned small 
businesses.                                              
  Pages S6679-84
Measures Failed:
  United States Assistance: By 10 yeas to 81 nays (Vote No. 196), 
Senate rejected S. 3576, to provide limitations on United States 
assistance. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that 
the bill, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, the bill was 
rejected, and the bill was returned to the calendar.)        
  Page S6601
Measures Considered:
  Sportsmen's Act--Agreement: Senate continued consideration of the 
motion to proceed to consideration of S. 3525, to protect and enhance 
opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting. 
                                            Pages S6559-S6601, S6604-05
  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 84 yeas to 7 nays (Vote No. 200), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed 
to the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to 
consideration of the bill.                               
Pages S6604-05
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 5:30 
p.m., on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, all post-cloture time on the 
motion to proceed to consideration of the bill be yielded back, and 
Senate vote on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. 
                                                             Page S6684
House Messages:
  Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act: Senate concurred in the 
amendment of the House of Representatives to S. 300, to prevent abuse 
of Government charge cards.                                  
  Page S6672
  Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act: Senate 
concurred in the amendment of the House of Representatives to S. 710, 
to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a hazardous waste 
electronic manifest system.                              
  Pages S6672-73
Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that from Saturday, September 22, 2012 through Tuesday, 
November 13, 2012, the Majority Leader and Senator

[[Page D906]]

Lieberman be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint 
resolutions.                                                 
  Page S6684
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, committees, 
boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by 
law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate.
                                                             Page S6684
Authority for Committees--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that, notwithstanding the Senate's recess, committees 
be authorized to report legislative and executive matters on Friday, 
November 2, 2012 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon.                 
  Page S6684
Pro Formas--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that when the Senate adjourns, it adjourn and convene for pro 
forma sessions 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: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 
at 9:30 a.m.; Friday, September 28, 2012 at 10 a.m.; Tuesday, October 
2, 2012 at 11 a.m.; Friday, October 5, 2012 at 1 p.m.; Tuesday, October 
9, 2012 at 11 a.m.; Friday, October 12, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesday, 
October 16, 2012 at 10 a.m.; Friday, October 19, 2012 at 11 a.m.; 
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 1 p.m.; Friday, October 26, 2012 at 1 
p.m.; Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 10 a.m.; Friday, November 2, 2012 at 
11 a.m.; Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 11 a.m.; and Friday, November 9, 
2012 at 10 a.m.                                              
  Page S6684
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
  Albert DiClemente, of Delaware, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board 
of Directors for a term of five years.
  Sharon English Woods Villarosa, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the 
Republic of Mauritius, and to serve concurrently and without additional 
compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles.
  Gonzalo P. Curiel, of California, to be United States District Judge 
for the Southern District of California.
  Robert J. Shelby, of Utah, to be United States District Judge for the 
District of Utah.
  Joseph E. Macmanus, of New York, to be Representative of the United 
States of America to the Vienna Office of the United Nations, with the 
rank of Ambassador.
  Joseph E. Macmanus, of New York, to be Representative of the United 
States of America to the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the 
rank of Ambassador.
  Heidi Shyu, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army.
  Emil J. Kang, of North Carolina, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2018.
  Dawn M. Liberi, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Burundi.
  Stephen D. Mull, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Poland.
  Walter North, of Washington, to be Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, 
and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as 
Ambassador to the Solomon Islands and Ambassador to the Republic of 
Vanuatu.
  Richard G. Olson, of New Mexico, to be Ambassador to the Islamic 
Republic of Pakistan.
  John Hardy Isakson, of Georgia, to be a Representative of the United 
States of America to the Sixty-seventh Session of the General Assembly 
of the United Nations.
  Patrick J. Leahy, of Vermont, to be a Representative of the United 
States of America to the Sixty-seventh Session of the General Assembly 
of the United Nations.
  Kevin K. Washburn, of New Mexico, to be an Assistant Secretary of the 
Interior.
  Robert Stephen Beecroft, of California, to be Ambassador to the 
Republic of Iraq. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations 
was discharged from further consideration.)    
Pages S6606-09, S6685-86
  6 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
  13 Army nominations in the rank of general.
  1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral.
  Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Department of State, Navy, and 
Public Health Service.                         
Pages S6606-09, S6685-86
  Routine list in the Coast Guard. (Prior to this action, Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further 
consideration.)                                
Pages S6606-09, S6685-86
  Routine list in the Foreign Service. (Prior to this action, Committee 
on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) 
                                               Pages S6606-09, S6685-86
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  Marilyn A. Brown, of Georgia, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 
2017.

[[Page D907]]


  Vera Lynn Evans, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 
2017.
  Michael McWherter, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 
2016.
  Joe H. Ritch, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of 
the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 2016.
  Vincent G. Logan, of New York, to be Special Trustee, Office of 
Special Trustee for American Indians, Department of the Interior.
  Olga Viso, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the National Council on 
the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2018.
  Alan F. Estevez, of the District of Columbia, to be a Principal 
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.                       
Pages S6684-85
Messages from the House:                                 
  Pages S6623-24
Measures Placed on the Calendar:                             
  Page S6624
Executive Communications:                                
  Pages S6624-25
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S6626-28
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S6628-29
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S6619-22
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S6635-61
Privileges of the Floor:                                     
  Page S6661
Record Votes: Five record votes were taken today. (Total--200) 
                                Pages S6601, S6602, S6604, S6604, S6605
Adjournment: Senate convened at 12 p.m. on Friday, September 21, 2012 
and adjourned at 4:03 a.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2012, until 9:30 
a.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. (For Senate's program, see the 
remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6684.)