[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 151 (Thursday, November 29, 2012)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D977-D980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                        Thursday, November 29, 2012

[[Page D977]]

                              Daily Digest

                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S7127-S7278
Measures Introduced: Four bills and two resolutions were introduced, as 
follows: S. 3647-3650, and S. Res. 603-604.                  
  Page S7215
Measures Reported:
  H.R. 2471, to amend section 2710 of title 18, United States Code, to 
clarify that a video tape service provider may obtain a consumer's 
informed, written consent on an ongoing basis and that consent may be 
obtained through the Internet, with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                  
Page S7214
Measures Passed:
  No-Hassle Flying Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation was discharged from further consideration of S. 3542, to 
authorize the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation 
Security Administration) to modify screening requirements for checked 
baggage arriving from preclearance airports, and the bill was then 
passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                         Pages S7275-76
  Levin (for Klobuchar) Amendment No. 3286, to include the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate in the 
committees to which the report on re-screening of baggage is required 
to be submitted.                                             
Page S7276
  American Diabetes Month: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 600, 
supporting the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month, and the 
resolution was then agreed to, after agreeing to the following 
amendment proposed thereto:                                  
  Page S7276
  Levin (for Shaheen) Amendment No. 3287, to make minor changes. 
                                                             Page S7276
  National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
603, designating the week of November 26 through November 30, 2012, as 
National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week.                   
  Page S7277
  Death of Former Senator Warren B. Rudman: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
604, relative to the death of the Honorable Warren B. Rudman, former 
United States Senator for the State of New Hampshire.        
  Page S7277
Measures Considered:
  National Defense Authorization Act--Agreement: Senate continued 
consideration of S. 3254, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, taking 
action on the following amendments proposed thereto: 
                                            Pages S7136-46, S7148-S7206
Adopted:
  Levin (for Kohl/Boozman) Amendment No. 2888, to provide for the 
payment of a benefit for the nonparticipation of eligible members in 
the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program due to 
Government error.                                        
Pages S7136-37
  Levin (for Manchin) Amendment No. 2924, to require an additional 
element in the report on the accuracy of the Defense Enrollment 
Eligibility Reporting System.                            
Pages S7136-37
  Levin (for Webb) Amendment No. 2949, to extend the temporary increase 
in accumulated leave carryover for members of the Armed Forces. 
                                                         Pages S7136-37
  Levin (for Wyden) Amendment No. 2960, to require a report on 
mechanisms to ease the reintegration into civilian life of members of 
the National Guard and the Reserves following a deployment on active 
duty.                                                    
Pages S7136-37
  Levin (for Sessions) Amendment No. 2963, to authorize the posthumous 
honorary promotion of Sergeant Paschal Conley to second lieutenant in 
the Army.                                                
Pages S7136-37
  Levin (for Heller) Amendment No. 2969, to require a report on the 
future availability of TRICARE Prime throughout the United States. 
                                                         Pages S7136-38
  Levin (for Hoeven) Amendment No. 2991, to express the sense of the 
Senate on the maintenance by the United States of a triad of strategic 
nuclear delivery systems.                                
Pages S7136-38

[[Page D978]]


  Levin (for Barrasso) Amendment No. 3083, to authorize the Secretary 
of Defense to maintain the readiness and flexibility of the 
intercontinental ballistic missile force.                
Pages S7136-38
  By a unanimous vote of 95 yeas (Vote No. 208), Cornyn Amendment No. 
3158, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to 
Congress a plan to reduce the current backlog of veterans claims. 
                                                  Pages S7143-44, S7145
  By 54 yeas to 41 nays (Vote No. 209), Hagan Amendment No. 3095, to 
strike the prohibition on biofuel refinery construction. 
                                               Pages S7144-45, S7145-46
  Portman Amendment No. 2995, to enhance authorities relating to the 
admission of defense industry civilians to certain Department of 
Defense educational institutions and programs.               
Page S7149
  Levin (for Webb) Amendment No. 2948, to extend the authority to 
provide a temporary increase in rates of basic allowance for housing 
under certain circumstances.                                 
Page S7149
  Levin (for Sessions) Amendment No. 2962, to express the sense of 
Congress on the submittal to Congress of the homeland defense hedging 
policy and strategy of the Secretary of Defense.         
Pages S7149-50
  Levin (for Inhofe) Amendment No. 2971, to express the sense of the 
Senate on the protection of Department of Defense airfields, training 
airspace, and air training routes.                       
Pages S7149-50
  Levin (for Casey) Amendment No. 2986, to require contractors to 
notify small business concerns that they have been included in offers 
relating to contracts let by Federal agencies.           
Pages S7149-50
  Levin (for Murray/Burr) Amendment No. 2989, to extend the authority 
of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor to 
carry out a program of referral and counseling services to veterans at 
risk of homelessness who are transitioning from certain institutions. 
                                                         Pages S7149-50
  Levin (for Vitter) Amendment No. 3085, to require additional elements 
in the plan on the rationalization of cyber networks and cyber 
personnel of the Department of Defense.                  
Pages S7149-50
  Levin (for Coburn) Amendment No. 3110, to require a report on the 
balances carried forward by the Department of Defense at the end of 
fiscal year 2012.                                        
Pages S7149-50
  Levin (for Manchin) Amendment No. 3166, to require a report on the 
future of family support programs of the Department of Defense. 
                                                         Pages S7149-50
  Levin (for Boxer) Amendment No. 2981, to prohibit the issuance of a 
waiver for commissioning or enlistment in the Armed Forces for any 
individual convicted of a felony sexual offense.         
Pages S7149-51
  By 62 yeas to 33 nays (Vote No. 210), Merkley Modified Amendment No. 
3096, to express the sense of Congress on the accelerated transition of 
United States combat and military and security operations to the 
Government of Afghanistan.                     
Pages S7148-49, S7151-52
  Blumenthal Modified Amendment No. 3124, to prevent human trafficking 
in government contracting.                               
Pages S7152-54
  Inhofe Amendment No. 2972, to express the sense of Congress that the 
bugle call commonly known as ``Taps'' should be designated as the 
National Song of Military Remembrance.                       
Page S7154
  By 66 yeas to 29 nays (Vote No. 211), Gillibrand Modified Amendment 
No. 3058, to provide for certain treatment of autism under the TRICARE 
program.                                                 
Pages S7156-58
  Portman/Akaka Amendment No. 2956, to require a report on Department 
of Defense efforts to standardize educational transcripts issued to 
separating members of the Armed Forces.                      
Page S7159
  Whitehouse Amendment No. 3180, to provide for scientific frameworks 
with respect to recalcitrant cancers.                    
Pages S7162-64
  Levin (for Lieberman) Modified Amendment No. 3090, to improve the 
provision of assistance to fire departments and to reauthorize the 
United States Fire Administration.                       
Pages S7169-74
  Levin (for McCaskill) Amendment No. 2929, to improve authorities and 
limitations relating to wartime contracting and other acquisition-
related provisions.                                      
Pages S7174-75
  Levin (for McCaskill) Amendment No. 2942, to expand whistleblower 
protections to non-Defense contractor and grantee employees. 
                                                         Pages S7174-76
  Levin (for Boxer/Coburn) Amendment No. 3230, to reauthorize and 
modify the responsibilities of the United States Advisory Commission on 
Public Diplomacy through fiscal year 2014.               
Pages S7174-76
  Levin (for Hatch/Lee) Amendment No. 2966, to reauthorize and expand 
the multi-trades demonstration project.                  
Pages S7174-76
  Levin (for Inhofe) Amendment No. 2973, to express the sense of the 
Senate on training of mental health counselors for members of the Armed 
Forces, veterans, and their families.                    
Pages S7174-76
  Levin (for Boxer) Amendment No. 2980, to require an Inspector General 
of the Department of Defense report on allowable costs of compensation 
of employees of Department of Defense contractors.       
Pages S7174-77
  Levin (for Casey/Begich) Amendment No. 2994, to require a report on a 
program on the return of rare earth phosphors from Department of 
Defense fluorescent lighting waste to the domestic rare earth supply 
chain.                                                   
Pages S7174-77

[[Page D979]]


  Levin (for Toomey) Amendment No. 3059, to require a report on the 
establishment of a joint Armed Forces historical storage and 
preservation facility.                                   
Pages S7174-77
  Levin (for Inhofe) Amendment No. 3072, to express the sense of the 
Senate on increasing the cost-effectiveness of training exercises for 
members of the Armed Forces.                             
Pages S7174-77
  Levin (for Vitter) Amendment No. 3086, to require assessments by the 
Air Force of the effects of proposed movements of airframes on joint 
readiness training.                                      
Pages S7174-77
  Levin (for Shaheen) Amendment No. 3098, to require a report by the 
suspension and debarment officials of the military departments and the 
Defense Logistics Agency.                                
Pages S7174-78
  Levin (for Coburn) Amendment No. 3186, to require a study on small 
arms and ammunition acquisition.                         
Pages S7174-78
  Inhofe (for Coons/Inhofe) Amendment No. 3201, to express the sense of 
the Senate on ongoing efforts to apprehend or remove Joseph Kony and 
his top commanders from the battlefield and end atrocities perpetuated 
by his Lord's Resistance Army.                           
Pages S7180-81
  Levin (for Durbin) Modified Amendment No. 3199, to impose sanctions 
with respect to persons that provide significant financial, material, 
or technological support to the rebel group known as M23 operating in 
the Democratic Republic of the Congo.          
Pages S7189-91, S7203-06
  By 54 yeas to 41 nays (Vote No. 212), Ayotte Amendment No. 3245, to 
prohibit the use of funds for the transfer or release of certain 
individuals from United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 
                                               Pages S7178-80, S7191-92
  By 67 yeas to 29 nays (Vote No. 213), Feinstein Amendment No. 3018, 
to clarify that an authorization to use military force, a declaration 
of war, or any similar authority shall not authorize the detention 
without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful permanent resident of 
the United States.                                
Pages S7181-88, S7193
  Levin (for Blumenthal) Amendment No. 2940, to provide certain 
requirements relating to the retirement, adoption, care, and 
recognition of military working dogs.                        
Page S7196
  Levin (for Brown (MA)) Amendment No. 3036, to require reports on the 
potential security threat posed by Boko Haram.               
Page S7196
  Levin (for Toomey/Casey) Amendment No. 3064, to require a study on 
the Bradley Fighting Vehicle industrial base.                
Page S7196
  Levin Amendment No. 3114, to authorize the repair, overhaul, and 
refurbishment of defense articles for sale or transfer to eligible 
foreign countries and entities.                          
Pages S7196-97
  Levin (for Casey) Amendment No. 3193, to require the Department of 
Defense to develop a plan to promote the security of Afghan women and 
girls during the security transition process.            
Pages S7196-97
  Levin (for Risch) Amendment No. 3213, to add the Select Committee on 
Intelligence and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and 
the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives to the list of 
congressional committees to receive the submission of reports on the 
program for scientific engagement for nonproliferation. 
                                                         Pages S7196-98
  Levin (for Wicker) Amendment No. 3220, to express the sense of 
Congress in support of the Israeli Iron Dome defensive weapon system. 
                                                         Pages S7196-98
  Levin (for Johanns) Amendment No. 3222, to express the expectation of 
Congress to be consulted by the Secretary of Defense before the 
Secretary pursues a change in the command status of the United States 
Cyber Command.                                           
Pages S7196-98
  Levin (for Coburn) Amendment No. 3237, to set forth consequences for 
the failure of the Department of Defense to obtain audits with an 
unqualified opinion on its financial statements by fiscal year 2017. 
                                                         Pages S7196-99
  Levin Amendment No. 3243, to commend the Enduring Strategic 
Partnership Agreement between the United States of America and the 
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.                      
Pages S7196-S7200
  Levin (for Lieberman) Amendment No. 3256, to require reports from the 
Comptroller General of the United States on certain aspects of joint 
professional military education.                      
Pages S7196-S7200
  Levin (for Cornyn) Amendment No. 3260, to prohibit the use of funds 
to enter into contracts or agreements with Rosoboronexport. 
                                                      Pages S7196-S7200
  Levin (for McCain) Amendment No. 3261, to require the submittal to 
Congress of risk assessments on changes in United States troop levels 
in Afghanistan.                                       
Pages S7196-S7200
  Levin (for Kyl) Amendment No. 3271, to promote the development of an 
adequate, reliable, and stable supply of critical and essential 
minerals in the United States in order to strengthen and sustain the 
military readiness, national security, and critical infrastructure of 
the United States.                                    
Pages S7196-S7201
  Levin (for Webb) Amendment No. 3275, to express the sense of the 
Senate on the situation in the Senkaku Islands.       
Pages S7196-S7201
  Levin (for Nelson (NE)/Kirk) Amendment No. 3279, to express the sense 
of Congress that external and independent oversight of the National 
Nuclear

[[Page D980]]

Security Administration by the Department of Energy is critical to the 
mission of protecting the United States nuclear security enterprise. 
                                                      Pages S7196-S7201
Pending:
  Kyl Amendment No. 3123, to require regular updates of Congress on the 
military implications of proposals of the United States and Russia 
under consideration in negotiations on nuclear arms, missile defense, 
and long-range conventional strike system matters.           
Page S7136
  Menendez Amendment No. 3232, to enhance sanctions imposed with 
respect to Iran.                                         
Pages S7201-03
  A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further 
consideration of the bill at approximately 9:15 a.m., on Friday, 
November 30, 2012; and that at approximately 9:30 a.m., Senate vote on 
or in relation to the following amendments in the order listed: 
Sessions Amendment No. 3009; Cardin Amendment No. 3025; Menendez 
Amendment No. 3232; and Nelson (FL) Amendment No. 3073; that there be 
two minutes equally divided prior to each vote; and that there be no 
amendments in order to the amendments prior to the votes. 
                                                         Pages S7195-96
Retiring Senators Statements--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement 
was reached providing that the following blocks of time be set aside 
for the purpose of statements from retiring Senators: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 
p.m., on Tuesday, December 4, 2012; 10 a.m.-11 a.m., on Thursday, 
December 6, 2012; and 12 noon-1 p.m., on Wednesday, December 12, 2012. 
                                                             Page S7277
Messages from the House:                                     
  Page S7210
Measures Referred:                                           
  Page S7210
Executive Communications:                                
  Pages S7210-14
Executive Reports of Committees:                             
  Page S7214
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S7215-19
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S7219-20
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S7209-10
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S7220-75
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S7275
Privileges of the Floor:                                     
  Page S7275
Record Votes: Six record votes were taken today. (Total--213) 
                                 Pages S7145-46, S7152, S7158, S7192-93
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned, as a further 
mark of respect to the memory of the late former Senator Warren B. 
Rudman, in accordance with S. Res. 604 at 11:37 p.m., until 9:15 a.m. 
on Friday, November 30, 2012. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of 
the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S7278.)