[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 93 (Thursday, June 11, 2015)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D690-D692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                            Thursday, June 11, 2015

[[Page D690]]

                              Daily Digest

                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S4063-S4118
Measures Introduced: Twenty bills and two resolutions were introduced, 
as follows: S. 1551-1570, and S. Res. 199-200.           
  Pages S4103-04
Measures Reported:
  H.R. 23, to reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction 
Program, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 
114-62)
  S. 1558, making appropriations for Department of Defense for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. (S. Rept. No. 114-63)
  H.R. 2250, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, with an amendment in the nature 
of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 114-64)
  S. 756, to require a report on accountability for war crimes and 
crimes against humanity in Syria.                            
Page S4103
Measures Passed:
  Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver: Senate 
passed S. 1568, to extend the authorization to carry out the 
replacement of the existing medical center of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs in Denver, Colorado, to authorize transfers of amounts 
to carry out the replacement of such medical center.         
  Page S4116
  Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act: 
Senate passed H.R. 615, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 
require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of 
Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain 
interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the 
Department of Homeland Security, after agreeing to the committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute.                 
  Pages S4116-17
  Authorizing the Reprinting of the 25th Edition Pocket Constitution: 
Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 54, authorizing the reprinting of the 
25th edition of the pocket version of the United States Constitution. 
                                                             Page S4117
Measures Considered:
National Defense Authorization Act--Agreement: Senate continued 
consideration of H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2016 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 S4073-90
Withdrawn:
  McCain (for Burr) Modified Amendment No. 1569 (to Amendment No. 
1463), to improve cybersecurity in the United States through enhanced 
sharing of information about cybersecurity threats. 
                                                     Pages S4073, S4089
Pending:
  McCain Amendment No. 1463, in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                             Page S4073
  McCain Amendment No. 1456 (to Amendment No. 1463), to require 
additional information supporting long-range plans for construction of 
naval vessels.                                               
Page S4073
  Cornyn Amendment No. 1486 (to Amendment No. 1463), to require 
reporting on energy security issues involving Europe and the Russian 
Federation, and to express the sense of Congress regarding ways the 
United States could help vulnerable allies and partners with energy 
security.                                                    
Page S4073
  Vitter Modified Amendment No. 1473 (to Amendment No. 1463), to limit 
the retirement of Army combat units.          
Pages S4073, S4075, S4083
  Markey Amendment No. 1645 (to Amendment No. 1463), to express the 
sense of Congress that exports of crude oil to United States allies and 
partners should not be determined to be consistent with the national 
interest if those exports would increase energy prices in the United 
States for American consumers or businesses or increase the reliance of 
the United States on imported oil.                           
Page S4073
   Reed (for Blumenthal) Modified Amendment No. 1564 (to Amendment No. 
1463), to enhance protections accorded to servicemembers and their 
spouses.                                          
Pages S4073, S4075-83


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On page D690, June 11, 2015, the following language appears: 
H.R. 2250, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, with an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 114-64) Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver: Senate passed S. 1568, 
to extend the authorization to carry out the replacement of the 
existing medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
Denver, Colorado, to authorize transfers of amounts to carry out 
the replacement of such medical center. Page S416 National Defense 
Authorization Act--Agreement: Senate continued consideration of 
H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 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 S4073-97 Withdrawn: McCain (for Burr) Modified Amendment No. 
1569 (to Amendment No. 1463), to improve cybersecurity in the 
United States through enhanced sharing of information about 
cybersecurity threats. Pages S4077-83 Vitter Modified Amendment 
No. 1473 (to Amendment No. 1463), to limit the retirement of Army 
combat units. Pages S4073, S4075, S Reed (for Blumenthal) Modified 
Amendment No. 1564 (to Amendment No. 1463), to enhance protections 
accorded to servicemembers and their spouses. Pages S4073, S4075-
77
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: H.R. 2250, making 
appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2016, with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute. (S. Rept. No. 114-64) Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center in Denver: Senate passed S. 1568, to extend the 
authorization to carry out the replacement of the existing medical 
center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Denver, Colorado, 
to authorize transfers of amounts to carry out the replacement of 
such medical center. Page S4116 National Defense Authorization 
Act--Agreement: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 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 S4073-90 Withdrawn: McCain (for Burr) Modified Amendment No. 
1569 (to Amendment No. 1463), to improve cybersecurity in the 
United States through enhanced sharing of information about 
cybersecurity threats. Pages S4073, S4089 Vitter Modified 
Amendment No. 1473 (to Amendment No. 1463), to limit the 
retirement of Army combat units. Pages S4073, S4075, S4083 Reed 
(for Blumenthal) Modified Amendment No. 1564 (to Amendment No. 
1463), to enhance protections accorded to servicemembers and their 
spouses. Pages S4073, S4075-83


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


[[Page D691]]


  McCain (for Paul) Modified Amendment No. 1543 (to Amendment No. 
1463), to strengthen employee cost savings suggestions programs within 
the Federal Government.                                      
Page S4073
  Reed (for Durbin) Modified Amendment No. 1559 (to Amendment No. 
1463), to prohibit the award of Department of Defense contracts to 
inverted domestic corporations.                              
Page S4073
  Feinstein (for McCain) Amendment No. 1889 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
reaffirm the prohibition on torture.                         
Page S4073
  Fischer/Booker Amendment No. 1825 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
authorize appropriations for national security aspects of the Merchant 
Marine for fiscal years 2016 and 2017.                       
Page S4073
  Lee Amendment No. 1687 (to Amendment No. 1473), to provide for the 
protection and recovery of the greater sage-grouse, the conservation of 
lesser prairie-chickens, and the removal of endangered species status 
for the American burying beetle.                         
Pages S4083-88
  McCain (for Ernst/Boxer) Amendment No. 1549 (to Amendment No. 1463), 
to provide for a temporary, emergency authorization of defense 
articles, defense services, and related training directly to the 
Kurdistan Regional Government.                           
Pages S4089-90
  Reed (for Gillibrand) Amendment No. 1578 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
reform procedures for determinations to proceed to trial by court-
martial for certain offenses under the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice.                                                     
Page S4090
  A motion was entered to close further debate on McCain Amendment No. 
1463, and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Tuesday, 
June 13, 2015.                                               
Page S4087
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the bill, and, in 
accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of McCain 
Amendment No. 1463.                                          
Page S4087
  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 56 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. 207), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to close further debate on the McCain (for Burr) 
Modified Amendment No. 1569 (to Amendment No. 1463) (listed above). 
                                                         Pages S4087-88
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that McCain (for 
Ernst) Amendment No. 1549 (to Amendment No. 1463) (listed above) and 
Reed (for Gillibrand) Amendment No. 1578 (to Amendment No. 1463) 
(listed above) be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold. 
                                                             Page S4089
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 
approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, June 15, 2015, Senate resume 
consideration of the bill; and that the filing deadline for all first-
degree amendments to both the bill and to McCain Amendment No. 1463, be 
at 4 p.m.                                                    
Page S4117
Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that Senator Perdue be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills 
or joint resolutions.                                        
  Page S4117
McGuire and Smith Nominations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time 
agreement was reached providing that at 5 p.m., on Monday, June 15, 
2015, Senate begin consideration of the nominations of Matthew T. 
McGuire, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Executive 
Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 
and Gentry O. Smith, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Office of 
Foreign Missions, and to have the rank of Ambassador during his tenure 
of service; that there be 30 minutes for debate equally divided in the 
usual form; that upon the use or yielding back of time, Senate vote, 
without intervening action of debate, on confirmation of the 
nominations in the order listed; and that no further motions be in 
order to the nominations.                                    
  Page S4117
Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:
  Douglas J. Kramer, of Kansas, to be Deputy Administrator of the Small 
Business Administration.                             
Pages S4070, S4118


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On page D691, June 11, 2015, the following language appears: Lee 
Amendment No. 1687 (to Amendment No. 1473), to provide for the 
protection and recovery of the greater sage-grouse, the 
conservation of lesser prairie-chickens, and the removal of 
endangered species status for the American burying beetle. Pages 
S4083-84 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that 
McCain (for Ernst) Amendment No. 1549 (to Amendment No. 1463) 
(listed above) and Reed (for Gillibrand) Amendment No. 1578 (to 
Amendment No. 1463) (listed above) be subject to a 60 affirmative 
vote threshold. Pages S4089-90 Douglas J. Kramer, of Kansas, to be 
Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration. Page 
S4118
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: Lee Amendment No. 
1687 (to Amendment No. 1473), to provide for the protection and 
recovery of the greater sage-grouse, the conservation of lesser 
prairie-chickens, and the removal of endangered species status for 
the American burying beetle. Pages S4083-88 A unanimous-consent 
agreement was reached providing that McCain (for Ernst) Amendment 
No. 1549 (to Amendment No. 1463) (listed above) and Reed (for 
Gillibrand) Amendment No. 1578 (to Amendment No. 1463) (listed 
above) be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold. Page S4089 
Douglas J. Kramer, of Kansas, to be Deputy Administrator of the 
Small Business Administration. Pages S4070, S4118


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 

Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  Brian R. Martinotti, of New Jersey, to be United States District 
Judge for the District of New Jersey.
  Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., of Nebraska, to be United States District 
Judge for the District of Nebraska.                      
Pages S4117-18
Messages from the House:                                     
  Page S4103
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S4104-05
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S4105-10
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S4101-02
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S4110-15
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:                            
  Pages S4115-16
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S4116
Privileges of the Floor:                                     
  Page S4116
Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--207) 
                                                             Page S4088
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:19 p.m., 
until 2 p.m. on Monday, June

[[Page D692]]

15, 2015. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority 
Leader in today's Record on page S4117.)