[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 178 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7027-S7031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

  The following communications were laid before the Senate, together 
with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as 
indicated:

        EC-7872. A communication from the Administrator of the 
     Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, 
     Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado; 
     Modification of the Handling Regulation for Area No. 2'' 
     (Docket No. AMS-SC-16-0042) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
        EC-7873. A communication from the Administrator of the 
     Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, 
     Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Olives Grown in California; 
     Suspension and Revision of Incoming Size-Grade Requirements'' 
     (Docket No. AMS-SC-16-0031) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
        EC-7874. A communication from the Administrator of the 
     Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, 
     Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Raisins Produced From Grapes 
     Grown in California and Imported Raisins; Removal of 
     Language'' (Docket No. AMS-SC-16-0065) received in the Office 
     of the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
        EC-7875. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Dicamba; Pesticide Tolerances'' (FRL No. 9954-37) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 7, 2016; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry.
        EC-7876. A communication from the Secretary of Defense, 
     transmitting a report on the approved retirement of 
     Lieutenant General Anthony G. Crutchfield, United States 
     Army, and his advancement to the grade of lieutenant general 
     on the retired list; to the Committee on Armed Services.
        EC-7877. A communication from the Alternate Federal 
     Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department 
     of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a 
     rule entitled ``National Security Education Program (NSEP) 
     and NSEP Service Agreement'' (RIN0790-AJ01) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Armed Services.
        EC-7878. A communication from the Secretary of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the 
     export to the People's Republic of China of items not 
     detrimental to the U.S. space launch industry; to the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-7879. A communication from the Program Specialist of 
     the Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, Office of 
     the Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the Treasury, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans Exemption 
     Threshold'' (RIN1557-AD99) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 5, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-7880. A communication from the Senior Counsel for 
     Regulatory Affairs, Departmental Offices, Department of the 
     Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Terrorism Risk Insurance Program; Adjustment to 
     Civil Penalty Amount Under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act 
     of 2002'' (31 CFR Part 50) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-7881. A communication from the Senior Counsel for 
     Regulatory Affairs, Departmental Offices, Department of the 
     Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Terrorism Risk Insurance Program; Certification'' 
     (RIN1505-AC53) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Banking, 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-7882. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for 
     Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security, 
     Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Temporary Exports to Mexico under 
     License Exception TMP'' (RIN0694-AG97) received in the Office 
     of the President of the Senate on December 5, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-7883. A communication from the Director, Office of 
     Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Securities and 
     Exchange Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report 
     entitled ``Report on Modernization and Simplification of 
     Regulation S-K'' ; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
     Urban Affairs.
        EC-7884. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for 
     Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security, 
     Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Amendment to the Export 
     Administration Regulations: Removal of Semiconductor 
     Manufacturing International Corporation from the List of 
     Validated End-Users in the People's Republic of China'' 
     (RIN0694-AH16) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Banking, 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-7885. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for 
     Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security, 
     Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Amendment to the Export 
     Administration Regulations: Removal of Special Iraq 
     Reconstruction License'' (RIN0694-AG89) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-7886. A communication from the Secretary of the 
     Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic 
     report on the continuation of the national emergency that was 
     declared in Executive Order 13396 on February 7, 2006, with 
     respect to Cote d'Ivoire; to the Committee on Banking, 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-7887. A communication from the Secretary of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the 
     export to the People's Republic of China of items not 
     detrimental to the U.S. space launch industry; to the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-7888. A communication from the Associate General 
     Counsel for Legislation and

[[Page S7028]]

     Regulations, Office of the Secretary, Department of Housing 
     and Urban Development, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Changes to HOME Investment 
     Partnerships (HOME) Program Commitment Requirement'' 
     (RIN2501-AD69) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Banking, 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-7889. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, 
     Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, 
     Department of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report 
     entitled ``2016 Economic Dispatch and Technological Change'' 
     ; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
        EC-7890. A communication from the Deputy Director for 
     Operations, National Park Service, Department of the 
     Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to 
     the detailed boundaries, classification descriptions, and 
     maps for the Snake River Headwaters, in Wyoming; to the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
        EC-7891. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Air Plan Approval/Disapproval; MS; Infrastructure 
     Requirements for the 2012 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality 
     Standards'' (FRL No. 9956-35-Region 4) received in the Office 
     of the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.
        EC-7892. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Air Quality Designations for the 2010 Sulfur 
     Dioxide (SO2) Primary National Ambient Air Quality 
     Standards--Supplement to Round 2 for Four Areas in Texas: 
     Firestone and Anderson Counties, Milam County, Rusk, and 
     Panola Counties, and Titus County'' (FRL No. 9956-10-OAR) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 7, 2016; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.
        EC-7893. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality 
     Implementation Plans; Oklahoma; Infrastructure for the Lead, 
     Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient 
     Air Quality Standards'' (FRL No. 9955-28-Region 6) received 
     in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 
     2016; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
        EC-7894. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality 
     Implementation Plans; Virginia; Removal of Stage II Gasoline 
     Vapor Recovery Requirements for Gasoline Dispensing 
     Facilities; Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule'' (FRL No. 9956-
     26-Region 3) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 7, 2016; to the Committee on Environment 
     and Public Works.
        EC-7895. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; 
     Texas; Reasonable Further Progress Plan and Motor Vehicle 
     Emissions Budgets for the Dallas/Fort Worth 2008 Ozone 
     Nonattainment Area'' (FRL No. 9955-52-Region 6) received in 
     the Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 
     2016; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
        EC-7896. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Determination of Attainment of the 2012 Annual 
     Fine Particulate Matter Standard; Pennsylvania; Delaware 
     County Nonattainment Area'' (FRL No. 9956-41-Region 3) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 7, 2016; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.
        EC-7897. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for 
     the Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category--
     Implementation Date Extension'' (FRL No. 9956-05-OW) received 
     in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 
     2016; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
        EC-7898. A communication from the Director of 
     Congressional Affairs, Office of New Reactors, Nuclear 
     Regulatory Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Site Characteristics and Site 
     Parameters'' (NUREG-0800) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Environment and Public Works.
        EC-7899. A communication from the Director of 
     Congressional Affairs, Office of New Reactors, Nuclear 
     Regulatory Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Physical Security--Early Site 
     Permit and Reactor Siting Criteria'' (NUREG-0800) received in 
     the Office of the President of the Senate on December 8, 
     2016; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
        EC-7900. A communication from the Director of 
     Congressional Affairs, Office of New Reactors, Nuclear 
     Regulatory Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Fitness for Duty--Introduction'' 
     (NUREG-0800) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Environment 
     and Public Works.
        EC-7901. A communication from the Director of 
     Congressional Affairs, Office of New Reactors, Nuclear 
     Regulatory Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Access Authorization Operational 
     Program'' (NUREG-0800) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Environment and Public Works.
        EC-7902. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of 
     the Army (Civil Works), transmitting, pursuant to law, a 
     report relative to the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, 
     Savannah, Georgia; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.
        EC-7903. A communication from the Chief of the Trade and 
     Commercial Regulations Branch, Bureau of Customs and Border 
     Protection, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Import 
     Restrictions Imposed on Certain Archaeological Material from 
     Egypt'' (RIN1515-AE19) received during adjournment of the 
     Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 2, 2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7904. A communication from the Chief of the Trade and 
     Commercial Regulations Branch, Bureau of Customs and Border 
     Protection, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Extension of 
     Import Restrictions Imposed on Certain Archaeological and 
     Ethnological Materials from the Plurinational State of 
     Bolivia'' (RIN1515-AE20) received during adjournment of the 
     Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 2, 2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7905. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Income and Currency 
     Gain or Loss with Respect to a Section 987 QBU'' ((RIN1545-
     AM12) (TD 9794)) received in the Office of the President of 
     the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7906. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Recognition and 
     Deferral of Section 987 Gain or Loss'' ((RIN1545-BL12) (TD 
     9795)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate 
     on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7907. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, 
     Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human 
     Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Medicare and State Health Care Programs: Fraud and 
     Abuse; Revisions to the Safe Harbors Under the Anti-Kickback 
     Statute and Civil Monetary Penalty Rules Regarding 
     Beneficiary'' (RIN0936-AA06) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Finance.
        EC-7908. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``December 2016 
     Supplement to Rev. Proc. 2014-64, Implementation of 
     Nonresident Alien Deposit Interest Regulations'' (Rev. Proc. 
     2016-56) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7909. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Covered Asset 
     Acquisitions'' ((RIN1545-BM75) (TD 9800)) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7910. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Tax Return Preparer 
     Due Diligence Penalty under Section 6695(g)'' ((RIN1545-BN61) 
     (TD 9799)) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7911. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Consistent Basis 
     Reporting Between Estate and Person Acquiring Property From 
     Decedent'' ((RIN1545-BM98) (TD 9797)) received in the Office 
     of the President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Finance.
        EC-7912. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Unpaid Losses 
     Discount Factors and Payment Patterns for 2016'' (Rev. Proc. 
     2016-58) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7913. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Salvage Discount 
     Factors and Payment Patterns for 2014'' (Rev. Proc. 2016-59) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Finance.

[[Page S7029]]

  

        EC-7914. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``User Fees for 
     Installment Agreements'' ((RIN1545-BN37) (TD 9798)) received 
     in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 8, 
     2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7915. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Publication of the 
     Tier 2 Tax Rates'' received in the Office of the President of 
     the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7916. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``2016 Guidance with 
     Respect to the Tax Credit for Employee Health Insurance 
     Expenses of Certain Small Employers'' (Notice 2016-75) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7917. A communication from the Senior Counsel for 
     Regulatory Affairs, Departmental Offices, Department of the 
     Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Department of the Treasury Acquisition 
     Regulations; Incremental Funding of Fixed-Price, Time-and-
     Material or Labor-Hour Contracts During a Continuing 
     Resolution'' (48 CFR Part 1032 and 48 CFR Part 1052) received 
     in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 8, 
     2016; to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7918. A communication from the Chief of the Trade and 
     Commercial Regulations Branch, Bureau of Customs and Border 
     Protection, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Electronic 
     Notice of Liquidation'' (RIN1515-AE16) received in the Office 
     of the President of the Senate on December 9, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Finance.
        EC-7919. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for 
     Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the annual report on the Child 
     Support Program for fiscal year 2015; to the Committee on 
     Finance.
        EC-7920. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, 
     Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human 
     Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Medicare and State Health Care Programs: Fraud and 
     Abuse; Revisions to the Office of Inspector General's Civil 
     Monetary Penalty Rules'' (RIN0936-AA04) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Finance.
        EC-7921. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, 
     Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, a report relative to section 36(c) of the 
     Arms Export Control Act (DDTC 16-098); to the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations.
        EC-7922. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, 
     Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, a report relative to section 36(c) of the 
     Arms Export Control Act (DDTC 16-110); to the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations.
        EC-7923. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, 
     Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, a report relative to section 36(c) and 36(d) 
     of the Arms Export Control Act (DDTC 16-112); to the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations.
        EC-7924. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, 
     Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, a report relative to section 36(c) of the 
     Arms Export Control Act (DDTC 16-069); to the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations.
        EC-7925. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, 
     Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, a report relative to section 36(d) of the 
     Arms Export Control Act (DDTC 16-095); to the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations.
        EC-7926. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, 
     Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, a report relative to section 36(c) of the 
     Arms Export Control Act (DDTC 16-039); to the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations.
        EC-7927. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, 
     Administration for Children and Families, Department of 
     Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Head Start Program'' (RIN0970-
     AC63) received in the Office of the President of the Senate 
     on December 6, 2016; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions.
        EC-7928. A communication from the Director, Civil Rights 
     Center, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, 
     the report of a rule entitled ``Implementation of the 
     Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of the 
     Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act'' (RIN1291-AA36) 
     received in the office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 7, 2016; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions.
        EC-7929. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for 
     Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's fiscal years 
     2011-2014 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 
     Reports to Congress and the LIHEAP Home Energy Notebooks for 
     fiscal years 2011-2014; to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions.
        EC-7930. A communication from the Chairman, U.S. Election 
     Assistance Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     Commission's Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for 
     the period from April 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7931. A communication from the Director, Congressional 
     Affairs, Federal Election Commission, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the Commission's Semiannual Report of the Inspector 
     General for the period from April 1, 2016 through September 
     30, 2016; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7932. A communication from the Secretary of Labor, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department of Labor's 
     Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period 
     from April 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7933. A communication from the Acting Assistant 
     Secretary for Administration and Management, Department of 
     Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the 
     Department of Labor's 2014 and 2015 FAIR Act Inventory of 
     Inherently Governmental Activities and Inventory of 
     Commercial Activities; to the Committee on Homeland Security 
     and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7934. A communication from the Chief Financial Officer, 
     National Labor Relations Board, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, a report entitled ``Performance and Accountability 
     Report for Fiscal Year 2016''; to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7935. A communication from the President of the United 
     States, transmitting, pursuant to law, notification of the 
     implementation of an alternative pay plan for locality pay 
     increases for civilian Federal employees covered by the 
     General Schedule and certain other pay systems in January 
     2017; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs.
        EC-7936. A communication from the Director, Office of 
     Government Ethics, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report 
     of a rule entitled ``Standards of Ethical Conduct for 
     Employees of the Executive Branch; Amendment to the Standards 
     Governing Solicitation and Acceptance of Gifts from Outside 
     Sources'' (RIN3209-AA04) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7937. A communication from the Special Counsel, United 
     States Office of the Special Counsel, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the Office of the Special Counsel's Performance and 
     Accountability Report for fiscal year 2016; to the Committee 
     on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7938. A communication from the Secretary of Education, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's Semiannual 
     Report to Congress on Audit Follow-up for the period of April 
     1, 2016 through September 30, 2016; to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7939. A communication from the Deputy Chief Financial 
     Officer, Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, the Department's fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2015 
     FAIR Act Commercial and Inherently Governmental Activities 
     Inventory; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7940. A communication from the Secretary of Education, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's Semiannual 
     Report of the Office of the Inspector General for the period 
     from April 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7941. A communication from the Chairman, National 
     Endowment for the Humanities, transmitting, pursuant to law, 
     the organization's Performance and Accountability Report for 
     fiscal year 2016; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7942. A communication from the Deputy Secretary of 
     Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department of 
     Defense Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the 
     period from April 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7943. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, 
     Regulatory Affairs Law Division, Department of Homeland 
     Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Petitions for Rulemaking, Amendment, or Repeal'' 
     (RIN1601-AA56) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 5, 2016; to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7944. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, 
     Regulatory Affairs Law Division, Department of Homeland 
     Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Freedom of Information Act Regulations'' (RIN1601-
     AA00) received in the Office of the President of the Senate 
     on December 5, 2016; to the Committee on Homeland Security 
     and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7945. A communication from the Chairman, Federal 
     Maritime Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     Commission's Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for 
     the period from April 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7946. A communication from the Chairman, U.S. Election 
     Assistance Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     Commission's Semiannual Report of the Inspector

[[Page S7030]]

     General for the period from April 1, 2016 through September 
     30, 2016; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7947. A communication from the Chairman of the Consumer 
     Product Safety Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period 
     from April 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-7948. A communication from the Director of the Office 
     of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action, Bureau of 
     Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Addition of 
     the Wind River Indian Reservation to the List of Courts of 
     Indian Offenses'' (RIN1076-AF33) received in the Office of 
     the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Indian Affairs.
        EC-7949. A communication from the Director of the Office 
     of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action, Bureau of 
     Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Indian Child 
     Welfare Act Proceedings'' (RIN1076-AF25) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Indian Affairs.
        EC-7950. A communication from the Director of the Office 
     of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action, Bureau of 
     Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Tribal 
     Transportation Program'' (RIN1076-AF19) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Indian Affairs.
        EC-7951. A communication from the Chairman of the Federal 
     Election Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report 
     relative to thirteen legislative recommendations; to the 
     Committee on Rules and Administration.
        EC-7952. A communication from the Deputy Assistant 
     Administrator for Regulatory Programs, Office of Sustainable 
     Fisheries, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the 
     Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery 
     of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 17A'' (RIN0648-BF77) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 7, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.
        EC-7953. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; 
     Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
     Management Area'' (RIN0648-XE969) received in the Office of 
     the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7954. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; 
     Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management 
     Area'' (RIN0648-XF036) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7955. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; 
     Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
     Islands Management Area'' (RIN0648-XF032) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7956. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2016 
     Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Reopening in the Eastern Pacific 
     Ocean'' (RIN0648-XE902) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7957. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; 
     Sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
     Alaska'' (RIN0648-XE967) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7958. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; 
     Reallocation of Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
     Islands Management Area'' (RIN0648-XE932) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7959. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico 
     and Atlantic Region; 2016-2017 Commercial Accountability 
     Measures and Closure for King Mackerel in the Florida West 
     Coast Northern Subzone'' (RIN0648-XF017) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Commerce , Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7960. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast 
     Multispecies Fishery; Georges Bank Cod Trimester Total 
     Allowable Catch Area Closure and Possession and Trip Limit 
     Reductions for the Common Pool Fishery'' (RIN0648-XF002) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 7, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.
        EC-7961. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; 
     Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
     Islands Management Area'' (RIN0648-XF064) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7962. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2016 Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands Bigeye Tuna Fishery; Closure'' 
     (RIN0648-XE284) received in the Office of the President of 
     the Senate on December 7, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7963. A communication from the Acting Director, Office 
     of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic 
     Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfers'' (RIN0648-XF049) received 
     in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 
     2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.
        EC-7964. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. 
     Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; 
     Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket 
     No. USCG-2016-0749)) received in the Office of the President 
     of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7965. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. 
     Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; 
     Upper Mississippi River, St. Louis, MO'' ((RIN1625-AA00) 
     (Docket No. USCG-2016-1020)) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7966. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. 
     Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety 
     Zones; Delaware River; Marcus Hook, PA'' ((RIN1625-AA00) 
     (Docket No. USCG-2016-1034)) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7967. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. 
     Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Shipping; 
     Technical, Organizational, and Conforming Amendments'' 
     (Docket No. USCG-2016-0315) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7968. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. 
     Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Discharge 
     Removal Equipment for Vessels Carrying Oil'' ((RIN1625-AA02) 
     (Docket No. USCG-2011-0430)) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7969. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. 
     Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Cargo 
     Securing Manuals'' ((RIN1625-AA25) (Docket No. USCG-2000-
     7080)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate 
     on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation.
        EC-7970. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. 
     Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Harmonization of Standards for Fire Protection, Detection, 
     and Extinguishing Equipment'' ((RIN1625-AB59) (Docket No. 
     USCG-2012-0196)) received in the Office of the President of 
     the Senate on December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7971. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. 
     Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Great Lakes 
     Pilotage Rates - 2016 Annual Review and Changes to 
     Methodology'' ((RIN1625-AC22) (Docket No. USCG-2015-0497)) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 8, 2016; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.

[[Page S7031]]

  

        EC-7972. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, U.S. 
     Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Requirements 
     for Vessels with Registry Endorsements or Foreign-Flagged 
     Vessels that Perform Certain Aquaculture Support Operations'' 
     ((RIN1625-AC23) (Docket No. USCG-2015-0086)) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 8, 2016; to 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-7973. A communication from the Senior Counsel for 
     Regulatory Affairs, Financial Stability Oversight Council, 
     Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, 
     the report of a rule entitled ``Revision of Freedom of 
     Information Act Regulations'' (12 CFR Part 1301) received in 
     the Office of the President of the Senate on December 8, 
     2016; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
     Affairs.
        EC-7974. A communication from the Director of the Office 
     of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action, Bureau of 
     Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Civil 
     Penalties Inflation Adjustments'' (RIN1076-AF32) received in 
     the Office of the President of the Senate on December 7, 
     2016; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
        EC-7975. A communication from the Director of the Office 
     of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action, Bureau of 
     Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Leasing of 
     Osage Reservation Lands for Oil and Gas Mining'' (RIN1076-
     AF17) received in the Office of the President of the Senate 
     on December 7, 2016; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

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