[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 19, 2016)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D392-D395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                            Tuesday, April 19, 2016

[[Page D392]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed H.R. 636, Federal Aviation Administration 
      Reauthorization Act, as amended.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S2131-S2203
Measures Introduced: Six bills and two resolutions were introduced, as 
follows: S. 2814-2819, S. Res. 431, and S. Con. Res. 35.     
  Page S2197
Measures Passed:
  Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act: By 95 yeas to 3 
nays (Vote No. 47), Senate passed of H.R. 636, to amend title 49, 
United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal 
Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2016 through 2017, after 
agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:    
  Pages S2143-45
  Adopted:
  Thune Amendment No. 3799, to amend the title.              
Page S2144
  Fallen Heroes Flag Act: Committee on Rules and Administration was 
discharged from further consideration of S. 2755, to provide Capitol-
flown flags to the immediate family of firefighters, law enforcement 
officers, members of rescue squads or ambulance crews, and public 
safety officers who are killed in the line of duty, and the bill was 
then passed.                                             
  Pages S2201-02
  Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act: Committee on Banking, 
Housing, and Urban Affairs was discharged from further consideration of 
H.R. 2722, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in 
recognition of the fight against breast cancer, and the bill was then 
passed.                                                      
  Page S2202
  Recognizing the 4-H Program: Senate agreed to S. Res. 431, 
recognizing the immeasurable benefits of the national 4-H program to 
the young people of the United States and supporting the campaign to 
expand the 4-H program.                                      
  Page S2202
Measures Considered:
Energy Policy Modernization Act--Agreement: Senate resumed 
consideration of S. 2012, to provide for the modernization of the 
energy policy of the United States, taking action on the following 
amendments proposed thereto:                             
  Pages S2145-91
  Adopted:
  Murkowski (for Cantwell) Amendment No. 3276 (to Amendment No. 2953), 
to strike certain provisions relating to technology demonstration on 
the distribution system, large-scale geothermal energy, and bio-power 
initiatives.                                             
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Klobuchar) Modified Amendment No. 3302 (to Amendment 
No. 2953), to modify provisions relating to the energy efficiency 
materials pilot program.                                 
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Flake/McCain) Amendment No. 3055 (to Amendment No. 
2953), to establish a pilot project relating to the Western Area Power 
Administration.                                          
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Flake) Amendment No. 3050 (to Amendment No. 2953), to 
require the Secretary of Energy to make available certain information 
about research grants of the Department of Energy.       
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Hatch) Amendment No. 3237 (to Amendment No. 2953), to 
require the Secretary of the Interior to submit recommendations to 
Congress on incorporating Internet-based lease sales for the sale of 
Federal oil and gas in certain circumstances.            
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski Amendment No. 3308 (to Amendment No. 2953), to clarify 
certain provisions relating to the natural gas pipeline authorized in 
the Denali National Park and Preserve.                   
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Heller/Heinrich) Modified Amendment No. 3286 (to 
Amendment No. 2953), to promote the development of renewable energy on 
public land.                                             
Pages S2145-91

[[Page D393]]


  Murkowski (for Vitter) Amendment No. 3075 (to Amendment No. 2953), to 
require the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to review 
the economic impact of a rule on small entities.         
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Portman) Amendment No. 3168 (to Amendment No. 2953), 
to exclude power supply circuits, drivers, and devices designed to be 
connected to, and power, light-emitting diodes or organic light-
emitting diodes providing illumination or ceiling fans using direct 
current motors from energy conservation standards for external power 
supplies.                                                
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Shaheen) Modified Amendment No. 3292 (to Amendment No. 
2953), to reduce barriers to combined heat and power systems and waste 
heat to power systems.                                   
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Heinrich) Amendment No. 3155 (to Amendment No. 2953), 
to ensure that minority serving-institutions are considered in 
developing a strategy for the support and development of a skilled 
energy workforce, and to ensure the Secretary of Energy shall provide 
direct assistance in carrying out the energy workforce pilot grant 
program.                                                 
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Manchin) Amendment No. 3270 (to Amendment No. 2953), 
to modify provisions relating to the coal technology program. 
                                                         Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Cantwell) Modified Amendment No. 3313 (to Amendment 
No. 2953), to express the sense of the Senate on accelerating energy 
innovation.                                              
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Cantwell) Amendment No. 3214 (to Amendment No. 2953), 
to provide for improved energy emergency response efforts of the 
Department of Energy.                                    
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Vitter) Amendment No. 3266 (to Amendment No. 2953), to 
require the Comptroller General of the United States to prepare a 
report relating to the statutory and regulatory authority of the Bureau 
of Safety and Environmental Enforcement relating to the legal 
procurement of privately owned helicopter fuel, without agreement, from 
lessees, permit holders, operators of federally leased offshore 
facilities, or independent third parties.                
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Sullivan) Amendment No. 3310 (to Amendment No. 2953), 
to provide for the correction of a survey of certain land in the State 
of Alaska.                                               
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Heinrich) Amendment No. 3317 (to Amendment No. 2953), 
to require the Secretary of Energy to ensure that the costs of general 
and administrative overhead are not allocated to laboratory directed 
research and development.                                
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Vitter) Modified Amendment No. 3265 (to Amendment No. 
2953), to provide additional priorities for an energy workforce pilot 
grant program.                                           
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Kaine/Warner) Amendment No. 3012 (to Amendment No. 
2953), to remove the use restrictions on certain land transferred to 
Rockingham County, Virginia.                             
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Alexander/Merkley) Amendment No. 3290 (to Amendment 
No. 2953), to add a provision relating to secondary use applications of 
electric vehicle batteries.                              
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Gillibrand/Cassidy) Amendment No. 3004 (to Amendment 
No. 2953), to allow the use of Federal disaster relief and emergency 
assistance for energy-efficient products and structures. 
                                                         Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Warner/Kaine) Modified Amendment No. 3233 (to 
Amendment No. 2953), to authorize, direct, facilitate, and expedite the 
transfer of administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal land. 
                                                         Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Thune) Amendment No. 3239 (to Amendment No. 2953), to 
establish a subcommittee to coordinate and facilitate United States 
leadership in high-energy physics.                       
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Udall) Amendment No. 3221 (to Amendment No. 2953), to 
establish a voluntary WaterSense program within the Environmental 
Protection Agency.                                       
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Coons) Amendment No. 3203 (to Amendment No. 2953), to 
provide for a study of waivers of certain cost-sharing requirements of 
the Department of Energy.                                
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Portman) Modified Amendment No. 3309 (to Amendment No. 
2953), to provide for activities relating to the centennial of the 
National Park System.                                    
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Flake) Amendment No. 3229 (to Amendment No. 2953), to 
establish a program to reduce the potential impacts of solar energy 
facilities on certain species.                           
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski (for Inhofe/Peters) Amendment No. 3251 (to Amendment No. 
2953), to modify the calculation of fuel economy for gaseous fuel dual 
fueled automobiles.                                      
Pages S2145-91
  Murkowski Amendment No. 2963 (to Amendment No. 2953), to modify a 
provision relating to bulk-power system reliability impact statements. 
                                                         Pages S2145-91
  By a unanimous vote of 97 yeas (Vote No. 48), Murkowski/Cantwell 
Modified Amendment No. 3234 (to Amendment No. 2953), to add certain 
provisions relating to natural resources. (Pursuant to the

[[Page D394]]

order of Wednesday, April 13, 2016, the amendment having achieved 60 
affirmative votes, was agreed to.)                           
Page S2187
  By 66 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. 49), Isakson Amendment No. 3202 (to 
Amendment No. 2953), to improve the accuracy of mortgage underwriting 
used by the Federal Housing Administration by ensuring that energy 
costs are included in the underwriting process, to reduce the amount of 
energy consumed by homes, to facilitate the creation of energy 
efficiency retrofit and construction jobs. (Pursuant to the order of 
Wednesday, April 13, 2016, the amendment having achieved 60 affirmative 
votes, was agreed to.)                                       
Page S2188
  Murkowski (for Burr) Modified Amendment No. 3175 (to Amendment No. 
2953), to ensure that the Secretary of the Interior collaborates fully 
with State and local authorities and certain nonprofit entities in 
managing the Corolla Wild Horse population on Federal Land. (A 
unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the requirement 
of a 60 affirmative vote threshold, be vitiated.)            
Page S2188
  Murkowski (for Cassidy/Markey) Amendment No. 2954 (to Amendment No. 
2953), to provide for certain increases in, and limitations on, the 
drawdown and sales of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that the requirement of a 60 
affirmative vote threshold, be vitiated.)                    
Page S2145
  Murkowski Amendment No. 2953, in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                             Page S2145
Rejected:
  By 34 yeas to 63 nays (Vote No. 50), Lankford Amendment No. 3210 (to 
Amendment No. 2953), to add provisions relating to acquisition of 
Federal land under the Land and Water Conservation Fund. (Pursuant to 
the order of Wednesday, April 13, 2016, the amendment having failed to 
achieve 60 affirmative votes, was not agreed to.)            
Page S2189
  By 42 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 51), Boozman Amendment No. 3311 (to 
Amendment No. 2953), to require a report relating to certain 
transmission infrastructure projects. (Pursuant to the order of 
Wednesday, April 13, 2016, the amendment having failed to achieve 60 
affirmative votes, was not agreed to.)                   
Pages S2189-90
  By 50 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 52), Udall Amendment No. 3312 (to 
Amendment No. 2953), to require the Secretary of the Treasury to 
develop a plan for issuance of Clean Energy Victory Bonds. (Pursuant to 
the order of Wednesday, April 13, 2016, the amendment having failed to 
achieve 60 affirmative votes, was not agreed to.)            
Page S2190
  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 33 yeas to 64 nays (Vote No. 53), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected a motion to waive all applicable sections of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 and applicable budget resolutions with respect to 
consideration of Paul Amendment No. 3787 (to Amendment No. 2953), to 
provide for the establishment of free market enterprise zones in order 
to help facilitate the creation of new jobs, entrepreneurial 
opportunities, enhanced and renewed educational opportunities, and 
increased community involvement in bankrupt or economically distressed 
areas. Subsequently, a point of order that the amendment was in 
violation of section 311(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, 
was sustained, and the amendment thus fell.              
Pages S2190-91
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the 
previously scheduled vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill, 
upon reconsideration, be vitiated.                           
Page S2191
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 
approximately 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, the time until 
10 a.m. be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees; 
and that at 10 a.m., Senate vote on passage of the bill, as amended. 
                                                             Page S2191
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further 
consideration of the bill at approximately 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, 
April 20, 2016.                                              
Page S2202
Message from the President: Senate received the following message from 
the President of the United States:
  Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the issuance of 
an Executive Order expanding the scope of the national emergency 
originally declared in Executive Order 13566 of February 25, 2011, with 
respect to Libya; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, 
Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-46)                      
Pages S2196-97
Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:
  Michael Joseph Missal, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.                              
Page S2203
Messages from the House:                                     
  Page S2197
Measures Referred:                                           
  Page S2197
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S2197-99
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:           
  Pages S2199-S2200
Additional Statements:                                       
  Page S2196
Amendments Submitted:                                        
  Page S2200
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S2201

[[Page D395]]

Privileges of the Floor:                                     
  Page S2201
Record Votes: Seven record votes were taken today. (Total--53) 
                                                  Pages S2143, S2187-91
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:50 p.m., 
until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (For Senate's program, 
see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S2202.)