[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 98 (Thursday, June 18, 2015)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D728-D731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                            Thursday, June 18, 2015

[[Page D728]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed H.R. 1735, National Defense Authorization Act, as 
      amended.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S4255-S4332.
Measures Introduced: Thirty-six bills and three resolutions were 
introduced, as follows: S. 1604-1639, and S. Res. 204-206. 
                                                         Pages S4297-99
Measures Reported:
  Report to accompany S. 697, to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act 
to reauthorize and modernize that Act. (S. Rept. No. 114-67)
  S. 1619, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland 
Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. (S. Rept. No. 
114-68)
  S. 1635, to authorize the Department of State for fiscal year 2016. 
                                                             Page S4296
Measures Passed:
  National Defense Authorization Act: By 71 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. 
215), Senate passed 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, 
after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: 
                                                         Pages S4258-75
Adopted:
  McCain/Blunt Modified Amendment No. 1974 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
express the sense of Congress on the security and protection of Iranian 
dissidents living in Camp Liberty, Iraq.                     
Page S4263


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

  
  On page D728, June 18, 2015, the following language appears: 
McCain/Blunt Modified Amendment No. 1974 (to Amendment No. 1463), 
to express the sense of Congress on the security and protection of 
Iranian dissidents living in Camp Liberty, Iraq. Pages S4263-64
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: McCain/Blunt 
Modified Amendment No. 1974 (to Amendment No. 1463), to express 
the sense of Congress on the security and protection of Iranian 
dissidents living in Camp Liberty, Iraq. Page S4263


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

  McCain (for Murkowski) Amendment No. 2030 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
express the sense of Congress on the coordination of hunting, fishing, 
and other recreational activities on military land.          
Page S4263
  McCain (for Vitter) Modified Amendment No. 1472 (to Amendment No. 
1463), to exclude AbilityOne goods from the authority to acquire goods 
and services manufactured in Afghanistan, central Asian states, and 
Djibouti.                                                
Pages S4263-64
  McCain (for Daines) Amendment No. 1890 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
modify the immediate applicability of basic allowance for housing for 
married members assigned for duty within normal commuting distance. 
                                                             Page S4264
  McCain (for Coats) Amendment No. 1705 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
provide for military exchanges between senior officers and officials of 
the United States and Taiwan.                                
Page S4264
  McCain (for Flake) Amendment No. 1720 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
authorize transportation to transfer ceremonies for the family and next 
of kin of members of the Armed Forces who die overseas during 
humanitarian operations.                                     
Page S4264
  McCain (for Gardner) Amendment No. 1708 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
require a strategy to promote United States interests in the Indo-Asia-
Pacific region.                                              
Page S4264
  McCain (for Enzi) Amendment No. 1908 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
provide for a small business procurement ombudsman.          
Page S4264
  McCain (for Paul) Amendment No. 1678 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
provide for the more accurate and complete enumeration of members of 
the Armed Forces in any tabulation of total population by the Secretary 
of Commerce.                                                 
Page S4264
  McCain (for Hatch/Inhofe) Amendment No. 1811 (to Amendment No. 1463), 
to provide for sustainment enhancement.                  
Pages S4264-65
  McCain (for 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 S4265


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

  
  On page D728, June 18, 2015, the following language appears: 
McCain (for Fischer/Booker) Amendment No. 1825 (to Amendment No. 
1463), to authorize appropriations for national security aspects 
of the Merchant Marine for fiscal year 2016 and 2017. Page S4265
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: McCain (for 
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 S4265


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

  Reed (for King/Carper) Amendment No. 2020 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
demonstrate the effects of a method to facilitate the disposal of 
excess Army property and management of underutilized and unutilized 
property by providing an exemption from

[[Page D729]]

certain requirements for off-site use and off-site removal only of non-
mobile properties.                                           
Page S4265
  Reed (for Menendez) Modified Amendment No. 2050 (to Amendment No. 
1463), to require a report on the security relationship between the 
United States and the Republic of Cyprus.                    
Page S4265
  Reed (for Coons) Modified Amendment No. 1474 (to Amendment No. 1463), 
to improve section 1204, relating to the National Guard State 
Partnership Program.                                     
Pages S4265-66
  Reed (for Murphy) Amendment No. 1901 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
require reporting on foreign procurements.                   
Page S4266
  Reed (for Warren/Merkley) Amendment No. 1902 (to Amendment No. 1463), 
to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a 
study on problem gambling among members of the Armed Forces. 
                                                             Page S4266
  Reed (for Blumenthal) Amendment No. 1563 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
require the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
to jointly submit to Congress a report on the implementation of new or 
updated electronic health records in certain environments.   
Page S4266
  Reed (for Durbin) Amendment No. 1703 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
authorize the provision of post-traumatic stress disorder training to 
military and security forces of the Government of Ukraine.   
Page S4266
  Reed (for Tester) Modified Amendment No. 1944 (to Amendment No. 
1463), to reform and improve personnel security, insider threat 
detection and prevention, and physical security.         
Pages S4266-68
  Reed (for Casey/Ayotte) Amendment No. 1747 (to Amendment No. 1463), 
to require the Department of Defense to support the security of Afghan 
women and girls during and after 2015.                   
Pages S4268-69
  Reed (for Schatz) Amendment No. 2006 (to Amendment No. 1463), 
relating to the policies of the Department of Defense on the travel of 
next of kin to participate in the dignified transfer of remains of 
members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of 
Defense who die overseas.                                    
Page S4269
  Reed (for Leahy) Amendment No. 1931 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
improve the annual reports of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau on 
the ability of the National Guard to meet its missions.      
Page S4269
  McCain (for Ayotte) Amendment No. 2011 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
provide for cooperation between the United States and Israel on anti-
tunnel capabilities.                                     
Pages S4269-70
  Reed (for Bennet) Amendment No. 1916 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a construction 
agent for certain construction projects by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.                                                     
Page S4270
  Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act: Senate passed S. 
808, to establish the Surface Transportation Board as an independent 
establishment.                                           
  Pages S4329-31
  Congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks: Senate agreed to S. Res. 205, 
congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2015 Stanley Cup. 
                                                             Page S4332
  Congratulating the Golden State Warriors: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
206, congratulating the Golden State Warriors for winning the 2015 
National Basketball Association Championship.                
  Page S4332


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

  
  On page D729, June 18, 2015, the following language appears: 
Reed (for Leahy) Amendment No. 1931 (to Amendment No. 1463), to 
improve the annual reports of the Chief of the National Guard 
Bureau on the ability of the National Guard to meets its missions. 
Page S4269 McCain (for Ayotte) Amendment No. 2011 (to Amendment 
No. 1463), to provide for cooperation between the United States 
and Israel on anti-tunnel capabilities. Page S4269 Congratulating 
the Chicago Blackhawks: Senate agreed to S. Res. 205, 
congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2015 Stanley 
Cup. Pages S4306, S4332 Congratulating the Golden State Warriors: 
Senate agreed to S. Res. 206, congratulating the Golden State 
Warriors for winning the 2015 National Basketball Association 
Championship. Pages S4306-07, S4332
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: Reed (for Leahy) 
Amendment No. 1931 (to Amendment No. 1463), to improve the annual 
reports of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau on the ability 
of the National Guard to meet its missions. Page S4269 McCain (for 
Ayotte) Amendment No. 2011 (to Amendment No. 1463), to provide for 
cooperation between the United States and Israel on anti-tunnel 
capabilities. Pages S4269-70 Congratulating the Chicago 
Blackhawks: Senate agreed to S. Res. 205, congratulating the 
Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2015 Stanley Cup. Page S4332 
Congratulating the Golden State Warriors: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
206, congratulating the Golden State Warriors for winning the 2015 
National Basketball Association Championship. Page S4332


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

Measures Considered:
Department of Defense Appropriations Act: By 50 yeas to 45 nays (Vote 
No. 216), 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 motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 2685, 
making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2016.                               
  Pages S4275-76
  Senator McConnell entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which 
cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to consideration of 
the bill.                                                    
Page S4276
House Messages:
Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act House Message--
Cloture: Senate began consideration of the amendment of the House to 
the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 2146, to amend the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 to allow Federal law enforcement officers, firefighters, 
and air traffic controllers to make penalty-free withdrawals from 
governmental plans after age 50, taking action on the following motions 
and amendments proposed thereto:                             
  Page S4290
Pending:
  McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the 
amendment of the Senate to the bill.                         
Page S4290
  McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the 
amendment of the Senate to the bill, with Amendment No. 2060 (to the 
House Amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill), to change the 
enactment date.                                              
Page S4290
  McConnell Amendment No. 2061 (to Amendment No. 2060), of a perfecting 
nature.                                                      
Page S4290
  McConnell motion to refer the bill to the Committee on Finance, with 
instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 2062, to change the enactment 
date.                                                        
Page S4290

[[Page D730]]


  McConnell Amendment No. 2063 (to (the instructions) Amendment No. 
2062), of a perfecting nature.                               
Page S4290
  McConnell Amendment No. 2064 (to Amendment No. 2063), of a perfecting 
nature.                                                      
Page S4290
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to concur 
in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to the 
bill, 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 23, 2015.                                               
Page S4290
Trade Preferences Extension Act--Cloture: Senate began consideration of 
the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 1295, 
to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the Generalized 
System of Preferences, the preferential duty treatment program for 
Haiti, taking action on the following motions and amendments proposed 
thereto:                                                 
  Pages S4290-92
Pending:
  McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the 
amendment of the Senate to the bill, with McConnell/Hatch Amendment No. 
2065 (to the House Amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill), in 
the nature of a substitute.                                  
Page S4291
  McConnell Amendment No. 2066 (to Amendment No. 2065), to change the 
enactment date.                                              
Page S4291
  McConnell motion to refer the bill to the Committee on Finance, with 
instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 2067, to change the enactment 
date.                                                        
Page S4291
  McConnell Amendment No. 2068 (to (the instructions) Amendment No. 
2067), of a perfecting nature.                               
Page S4291
  McConnell Amendment No. 2069 (to Amendment No. 2068), of a perfecting 
nature.                                                      
Page S4291
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to concur 
in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to the 
bill, with McConnell/Hatch Amendment No. 2065 (to the House Amendment 
to the Senate amendment to 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 the motion to concur in the 
amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 2146, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal law 
enforcement officers, firefighters, and air traffic controllers to make 
penalty-free withdrawals from governmental plans after age 50. 
                                                             Page S4291


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

  
  On page D730, June 18, 2015 the following language appears: 
Trade Preferences Extension Act--Cloture: Senate began 
consideration of the amendment of the House to the amendment of 
the Senate to H.R. 1295, to extend the African Growth and 
Opportunity Act, the Generalized System of Preferences, the 
preferential duty treatment program for Haiti, taking action on 
the following motions and amendments proposed thereto: Pages 
S4290-92 Pending: McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of 
the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill. Page S4291 
McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the 
amendment of the Senate to the bill, with McConnell/Hatch 
Amendment No. 2065 (to the House Amendment to the Senate amendment 
to the bill), in the nature of a substitute. Page S4291 McConnell 
Amendment No. 2066 (to Amendment No. 2065), to change the 
enactment date. Page S4291 McConnell motion to refer the bill to 
the Committee on Finance, with instructions, McConnell Amendment 
No. 2067, to change the enactment date. Page S4291 McConnell 
Amendment No. 2068 (to (the instructions) Amendment No. 2067), of 
a perfecting nature. Page S4291 McConnell Amendment No. 2069 (to 
Amendment No. 2068), of a perfecting nature. Page S4291 A motion 
was entered to close further debate on the motion to concur in the 
amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to 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 the motion to concur in the amendment of the House 
to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 2146, to amend the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal law enforcement officers, 
firefighters, and air traffic controllers to make penalty-free 
withdrawals from governmental plans after age 50. Page S4291
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: Trade Preferences 
Extension Act--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the 
amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 
1295, to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the 
Generalized System of Preferences, the preferential duty treatment 
program for Haiti, taking action on the following motions and 
amendments proposed thereto: Pages S4290-92 Pending: McConnell 
motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the amendment of 
the Senate to the bill, with McConnell/Hatch Amendment No. 2065 
(to the House Amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill), in 
the nature of a substitute. Page S4291 McConnell Amendment No. 
2066 (to Amendment No. 2065), to change the enactment date. Page 
S4291 McConnell motion to refer the bill to the Committee on 
Finance, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 2067, to 
change the enactment date. Page S4291 McConnell Amendment No. 2068 
(to (the instructions) Amendment No. 2067), of a perfecting 
nature. Page S4291 McConnell Amendment No. 2069 (to Amendment No. 
2068), of a perfecting nature. Page S4291 A motion was entered to 
close further debate on the motion to concur in the amendment of 
the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill, with 
McConnell/Hatch Amendment No. 2065 (to the House Amendment to the 
Senate amendment to 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 the motion to 
concur in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the 
Senate to H.R. 2146, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow 
Federal law enforcement officers, firefighters, and air traffic 
controllers to make penalty-free withdrawals from governmental 
plans after age 50. Page S4291


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

National Defense Authorization Act Printing--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that 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, as amended, and passed by the Senate, 
be printed.                                                  
  Page S4328
H.R. 2146, and H.R. 1295 Filing Deadline--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that the filing deadline for 
all first-degree amendments to H.R. 2146, to amend the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 to allow Federal law enforcement officers, firefighters, 
and air traffic controllers to make penalty-free withdrawals from 
governmental plans after age 50, and to H.R. 1295, to extend the 
African Growth and Opportunity Act, the Generalized System of 
Preferences, the preferential duty treatment program for Haiti, be at 4 
p.m., on Monday, June 22, 2015.                              
  Page S4332
Neffenger and Elliott Nominations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time 
agreement was reached providing that at 5 p.m., on Monday, June 22, 
2015, Senate begin consideration of the nominations of Peter V. 
Neffenger, of Ohio, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, 
and Daniel R. Elliott III, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Surface 
Transportation Board; 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 or debate, on confirmation of 
the nominations in the order listed; and that no further motions be in 
order to the nominations.                                    
  Page S4328
Messages from the House:                                     
  Page S4295
Measures Referred:                                       
  Pages S4295-96
Executive Reports of Committees:                         
  Pages S4296-97
Additional Cosponsors:                                
  Pages S4299-S4300
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S4300-04
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S4294-95
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S4307-28
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S4328
Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--216) 
                                                     Pages S4275, S4276
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:02 p.m., 
until 3 p.m. on Monday, June 22, 2015. (For Senate's program, see the 
remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S4332.)

[[Page D731]]