[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 75 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D550-D553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 43 public bills, H.R. 2347-
2389; and 5 resolutions, H. Res. 265-269 were introduced. 
                                                         Pages H3251-52
Additional Cosponsors:                                       
  Page H3254
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
  H.R. 1987, to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal 
years 2016 and 2017, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. 
Rept. 114-115);
  H.R. 1335, to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act to provide flexibility for fishery managers and 
stability for fishermen, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. 
Rept. 114-116); and
  H.R. 1557, to amend the Notification and Federal Employee 
Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 to strengthen Federal 
antidiscrimination laws enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission and expand accountability within the Federal government, and 
for other purposes (H. Rept. 114-117).                   
Pages H3250-51
Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a 
voice vote.                                          
  Pages H3217, H3234
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016: The House 
passed H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for 
military activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
construction, and to prescribe military personnel strengths for such 
fiscal year by a recorded vote of 269 ayes to 151 noes, Roll No. 239. 
Consideration began May 13th.                          
  Pages H3219-3236
  Rejected the Gallego motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on 
Armed Services with instructions to report the same back to the House 
forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 184 ayes to 234 
noes, Roll No. 238.                                      
Pages H3234-35
  Pursuant to the Rule, in lieu of the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute recommended by the Committee on Armed Services now printed 
in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of 
the text of Rules Committee Print 114-14 shall be considered as read. 
                                                             Page H3233
Agreed to:
  Thornberry en bloc amendment No. 6 consisting of the following 
amendments printed in H. Rept. 114-112: Hill (No. 90) that requires the 
U.S. Air Force to conduct a business case analysis on the decision to 
maintain 10 C-130J aircraft at Keesler AFB. Such analysis shall include 
consideration of: 1. Any efficiencies or cost savings that would be 
achieved by transferring the C-130J aircraft to Little Rock Air Force 
base. 2. Effects on the operation of Air Mobility Command. 3. Short 
term and long term costs of maintaining the aircraft at Keesler AFB 
Report should be completed and provided to Congress within 60 days of 
enactment of the bill; Meehan (No. 91) that expresses a sense of 
Congress about the importance of strong communications systems for the 
National Guard in the event of a cyber or terrorist attack; Walberg 
(No. 96) that requires SIGAR to certify they have access to records of 
the Afghanistan government for the purpose of auditing as a condition 
for disbursement of funds to Afghanistan; Poe (TX) (No. 99) that adds 
an assessment of U.S. efforts to stop foreign fighters as a matter to 
be included

[[Page D551]]

in the comprehensive strategy to counter Islamic extremism; Lamborn 
(No. 101) that adds a limitation on military-to-military exchanges and 
contacts with Iran; Walorski (No. 102) that provides transparency and 
congressional oversight to our deterrence of Iran and force posture in 
the Middle East; Ellison (No. 103) that states that nothing in this Act 
shall be construed to authorize the use of military force against Iran; 
Rogers (AL) (No. 104) that expresses a sense of the Congress concerning 
missile defense cooperation with Japan, and, it would require an update 
from DOD not later than 30 days after the date of enactment on sale of 
Aegis Ashore capability to allies, including Japan; Walker (No. 105) 
that requires that the Secretary of Defense invite military forces of 
Taiwan to participate in any maritime exercise (RIMPAC) if the 
Secretary has invited the military forces of People's Republic of China 
to participate in such exercise; Kelly (No. 106) that prohibits funds 
from being used to implement the UN Arms Trade Treaty unless the Senate 
approves a resolution of ratification for the Treaty and implementing 
legislation for the Treaty has been enacted into law; Cicilline (No. 
112) that requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to 
submit a report within 90 days describing the military capabilities of 
the Republic of Cyprus; Crowley (No. 113) that supports ongoing defense 
cooperation between the United States and India; Dingell (No. 114) that 
expresses the Sense of Congress that the President should exercise his 
authorities to evacuate U.S. citizens and nationals from Yemen during 
the ongoing conflict; Engel (No. 115) that requires a report to 
Congress on the impact of any significant reduction in U.S. troop 
levels or material in Europe on NATO's core mission of collective 
defense before any such reduction takes place; Vela (No. 116) that 
requires a report on violence and cartel activity in Mexico and the 
impact on U.S. National Security; Kilmer (No. 117) that requires 
Congressional notification prior to initiating a furlough and prohibits 
the transfer of work that would have been conducted by those furloughed 
to other DOD employees, contractors, or members of the Armed Forces; 
Nolan (No. 118) that prohibits funding from the Syria and Iraq Train 
and Equip programs to recipients that the Secretary of Defense has 
reported as having previously misused provided training and equipment; 
                                                         Pages H3219-21
  Thornberry en bloc amendment No. 7 consisting of the following 
amendments printed in H. Rept. 114-112: Lamborn (No. 107) that adds a 
requirement for a report on Qatar's efforts to combat terrorism; 
Lamborn (No. 108) that expresses a Sense of Congress in support of 
Jordan; Royce (No. 109) that expresses the sense of Congress that 
combating Boko Haram is in the national security interest of the United 
States and that the United States should support regional allies in 
their operations against Boko Haram; requires a report that details the 
security assistance required and received by regional partners to 
combat Boko Haram; Schweikert (No. 110) that expresses the sense of 
Congress that it is a national security priority of the United States 
to support and cooperate with the Republic of Tunisia by providing 
assistance to combat the growing terrorist threat from ISIS and other 
terrorist organizations; Turner (No. 111) that expresses a Sense of 
Congress on the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 
and encourages the United States to work with current and aspiring NATO 
partners to address security threats facing the alliance; Michelle 
Lujan Grisham (NM) (No. 119) that expresses a sense of Congress that 
the Secretary submit a plan to Congress on how the Department plans to 
implement the recommendations of the nuclear enterprise reviews; 
Quigley (No. 120) that requires the Department of Defense to submit a 
report to Congress justifying the departments plans to increase the 
number of new nuclear-armed cruise missiles, known as the Long Range 
Standoff Weapon, to the U.S. arsenal; Rogers (AL) (No. 121) that makes 
a series of technical corrections to sections 1669 and 1670 concerning 
US Israeli missile defense cooperation; Castor (FL) (No. 125) that 
expresses a sense of Congress that the Department of Defense should 
take into consideration, when prioritizing base housing projects, 
commuting times for base personnel and land available for development 
on the base; Loebsack (No. 126) that states that this section would 
modify section 2667 of title 10, United States Code, to provide the 
authorities to lease real or personal property contained in such 
section to the commander of military manufacturing arsenals or, if part 
of a larger military installation, the installation commander for the 
purposes of leveraging private investment at military manufacturing 
arsenals through long-term facility use contracts, property management 
contracts, leases, or other such agreements; this section does not 
supersede authorities in section 4544 of title 10, United States Code, 
and is designed to give the commander of military manufacturing 
arsenals or, if part of a larger military installation, the 
installation commander, greater flexibility to utilize unused 
administrative and warehouse space at military installations; Scalise 
(No. 127) that authorizes the Secretary of the Army to release the 
existing terms and conditions on a parcel of property at Camp Villere, 
Louisiana, enabling the Louisiana Army National Guard to transfer the 
land to the State of Louisiana in exchange for another parcel of land 
that has

[[Page D552]]

been identified, provided that the State carries out the necessary 
actions required;                                        
Pages H3223-25
  Thornberry en bloc amendment No. 8 consisting of the following 
amendments printed in H. Rept. 114-112: Foster (No. 122) that requires 
the Director of the Missile Defense Agency to submit to Congress a cost 
analysis of a space-based ballistic intercept and defeat layer; Turner 
(No. 123) that requires the Director of the Missile Defense Agency to 
notify congressional defense committees of the preferred location in 
the United States for the future deployment of an interceptor capable 
of protecting the homeland; Quigley (No. 124) that requires the 
Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to Congress comparing the 
costs associated with extending the life of the Minuteman III 
intercontinental ballistic missile with the costs associated with 
procuring a new ground based strategic deterrent; Young (AK) (No. 128) 
that directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a land conveyance 
of approximately 1,290 acres of public land, withdrawn by the Secretary 
of the Interior under Public Land Order 843 for use by the Secretary of 
the Air Force, to the Town of Galena, Alaska; Loretta Sanchez (CA) (No. 
129) that modifies 50 U.S.C. 2537 to add that existing nuclear weapon 
system shall be considered undergoing life extension if the total cost 
of the associated activities, including activities considered 
alterations, will exceed $1,000,000,000; Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM) 
(No. 130) that creates a pilot program in which the Department 
establishes a microlab that is accessible to the public; Hunter (No. 
131) that provides a one year increase in maritime security program 
funding; Sessions (No. 132) that authorizes the Administrator of the 
Maritime Administration to: (1) accept a gift of money from the U.S. 
Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc. in 
order to renovate Melville Hall on the campus of the U.S. Merchant 
Marine Academy, and (2) provides the option to enter into a contract 
with the Foundation for the Hall's operation. Provides that all excess 
proceeds will be used solely for the morale and welfare of the cadets; 
Carter (TX) (No. 133) that requires DOD to establish a process by which 
the commander of a military installation may authorize a service member 
to carry a concealed personal firearm on the installation if the 
commander determines it to be necessary as a personal or force-
protection measure; LoBiondo (No. 134) that expresses a sense of 
Congress that while recruitment and advertising in support of the 
National Guard and the military is appropriate, the taxpayer shouldn't 
have to pay for any organization to honor the service of members of the 
Armed Forces and (2) it should not be the goal of those that receive 
DoD advertising funds to use those funds to pay organizations to honor 
the service of members of the Armed Forces; instead, it should be the 
patriotism of these organizations to do so of their own free will in 
support of our brave servicemen and women. (3) Any funds that would be 
saved from this Sense of Congress should be redirected towards post-
traumatic stress disorder research and treatment for servicemembers; 
Nunes (No. 135) that clarifies that any realignment of forces at Lajes 
Air Force Base, Azores, shall be based on United States operational 
requirements;                                            
Pages H3226-28
  Rohrabacher amendment (No. 23 printed in H. Rept. 114-112) that was 
debated on May 14 that seeks to acknowledge Dr. Afridi's instrumental 
role in identifying the hiding place of Osama bin Laden and further 
state that it is the Sense of Congress that Dr. Shakil Afridi is an 
international hero and that the Government of Pakistan should release 
him immediately from prison (by a recorded vote of 413 ayes to 1 noe 
with two answering ``present'', Roll No. 233);               
Page H3230
  Lamborn amendment (No. 27 printed in H. Rept. 114-112) that was 
debated on May 14 that seeks to limit funding for implementing the New 
START treaty (by a recorded vote of 235 ayes to 182 noes, Roll No. 
234);                                                    
Pages H3230-31
  Lucas amendment (No. 38 printed in H. Rept. 114-112) that was debated 
on May 14 that seeks to reverse and prohibit the further listing of the 
Lesser Prairie Chicken as a threatened or endangered species until 
2021, thereby allowing the states to implement their voluntary Range-
Wide Conservation Plan for the Lesser Prairie Chicken's habitat; 
delists the American Burying Beetle as a threatened or endangered 
species under the Endangered Species Act (by a recorded vote of 229 
ayes to 190 noes, Roll No. 236);                             
Page H3232
Rejected:
  Blumenauer amendment (No. 32 printed in H. Rept. 114-112) that was 
debated on May 14 that sought to require funding for the Navy's new 
Ohio-class replacement submarines to come from their traditional Navy 
accounts, instead of the Sea-Based Deterrent Fund; transfer funds from 
the Sea-Based Deterrent Fund back into their historic Navy budget lines 
(by a recorded vote of 43 ayes to 375 noes, Roll No. 235); and 
                                                         Pages H3231-32
  Nadler amendment (No. 41 printed in H. Rept. 114-112) that was 
debated on May 14 that sought to strike section 3121, which places 
limits on funding for dismantlement of nuclear weapons (by a recorded 
vote of 178 ayes to 242 noes, Roll No. 237).             
Pages H3232-33
  Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming 
changes to reflect the actions of the House.                 
Page H3236

[[Page D553]]


  H. Res. 260, the rule providing for further consideration of the bill 
(H.R. 1735) was agreed to yesterday, May 14th.
Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that when the House adjourns 
today, it adjourn to meet at 12 noon on Monday, May 18th for Morning 
Hour debate.                                                 
  Page H3236
Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China--
Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the 
following Members on the part of the House to the Congressional-
Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China: Representatives 
Franks (AZ), Pittenger, and Hultgren.                        
  Page H3236
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe--Appointment: The 
Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members on 
the part of the House to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in 
Europe: Representatives Aderholt, Pitts, Hultgren, and Burgess. 
                                                             Page H3236
Quorum Calls--Votes: Seven recorded votes developed during the 
proceedings of today and appear on pages H3230, H3230-31, H3231-32, 
H3232, H3232-33, H3234-35, and H3235. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 1:20 p.m.