[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 11, 2017)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D34-D37]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                        Wednesday, January 11, 2017

[[Page D34]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 3, Budget Resolution.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S223-S295
Measures Introduced: Thirteen bills were introduced, as follows: S. 94-
106.                                                          
  Page S276
Measures Passed:
  Budget Resolution: By 51 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 26), Senate agreed 
to S. Con. Res. 3, setting forth the congressional budget for the 
United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the 
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018 through 2026, after 
taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: 
                                                          Pages S224-72
Rejected:
  By 46 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 20), Klobuchar/Sanders Amendment No. 
178, to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to lowering 
prescription drug prices for Americans by importing drugs from Canada. 
                                                          Pages S261-62
Withdrawn:
  Corker Amendment No. 106, to set an appropriate date for the 
reporting of a reconciliation bill in the Senate.   
Pages S257-58, S263
  Klobuchar/Sanders Amendment No. 172, to establish a deficit-neutral 
reserve fund relating to lowering prescription drug prices for 
Americans by importing drugs from Canada and other countries. 
                                                    Pages S249-51, S263
  Sanders (for Manchin) Amendment No. 63, to create a point of order 
against legislation that would reduce access to substance use disorder 
treatment and worsen the opioid abuse epidemic.     
Pages S249-51, S263
  Sanders (for Stabenow) Amendment No. 94, to create a point of order 
against legislation that would reduce or eliminate access to mental 
health care.                                        
Pages S249-51, S263
  Sanders (for Cantwell) Amendment No. 143, to create a point of order 
against any changes to the Medicare program, the Medicaid program, or 
the number of Americans enrolled in private health insurance coverage, 
in a manner that would result in reduced revenue to hospitals, health 
care centers, and physicians and other health care providers, thereby 
reducing their investments in health care delivery system reforms that 
improve patient health outcomes and reduce costs.   
Pages S253-54, S263
  Sanders (for Coons) Amendment No. 126, to create a point of order 
against legislation that would permit lifetime limits on health care 
coverage.                                           
Pages S253-54, S263
  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 47 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 7), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 with respect to Sanders (for Nelson) Amendment No. 
13, to create a point of order against legislation that would repeal 
health reforms that closed the prescription drug coverage gap under 
Medicare. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment was in 
violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
was sustained, and thus the amendment fell.      
Pages S249-51, S251-52
  By 48 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 8), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 with respect to Sanders (for King) Amendment No. 60, 
to create a point of order against legislation that would reduce health 
insurance access and affordability for individuals based on their 
occupation. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment was in 
violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
was sustained, and thus the amendment fell.         
Pages S249-51, S252
  By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 9), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive all applicable sections of the 
Congressional

[[Page D35]]

Budget Act of 1974, and applicable budget resolutions, with respect to 
Enzi (for Barrasso) Amendment No. 173, to establish a deficit-neutral 
reserve fund relating to rural health and repealing and replacing the 
Affordable Care Act. Subsequently, the point of order that the 
amendment was in violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and thus the amendment fell. 
                                                    Pages S251, S252-53
  By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 10), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 with respect to Sanders (for Manchin) Amendment No. 
64, to create a point of order against legislation that would harm 
rural hospitals and health care providers. Subsequently, the point of 
order that the amendment was in violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and thus the amendment 
fell.                                               
Pages S249-51, S254
  By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 11), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive all applicable sections of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and applicable budget resolutions, 
with respect to Enzi (for Heller) Amendment No. 167, to establish a 
deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to strengthening Social Security 
and repealing the Affordable Care Act, and replacing it with patient-
centered, step-by-step health reforms that provide access to quality, 
affordable private health care coverage for all Americans and their 
families by increasing competition, State flexibility and individual 
choice, and safeguarding consumer protections that Americans support. 
Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment was in violation of 
Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was 
sustained, and thus the amendment fell.                       
Page S254
  By 48 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 12), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 with respect to Sanders (for Baldwin) Amendment No. 
81, to create a point of order against legislation relating to the 
health of young people. Subsequently, the point of order that the 
amendment was in violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and thus the amendment fell. 
                                                    Pages S249-51, S255
  By 50 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 13), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive all applicable sections of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to Enzi (for Flake) 
Amendment No. 176, to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating 
to enhancing health care and housing for veterans and their dependents 
by repealing the Affordable Care Act, facilitating medical facility 
leases, and prohibiting the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 
employing individuals who have been convicted of a felony and medical 
personnel who have ever had their medical licenses or credentials 
revoked or suspended. Subsequently, the point of order that the 
amendment was in violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and thus the amendment fell. 
                                                       Pages S254, S256
  By 48 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 14), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 with respect to Sanders (for Tester) Amendment No. 
104, to create a point of order against legislation that would limit 
veterans' ability to choose VA health care. Subsequently, the point of 
order that the amendment was in violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and thus the amendment 
fell.                                            
Pages S249-51, S256-57
  By 49 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 15), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 with respect to Sanders (for Casey) Amendment No. 
61, to create a point of order against legislation relating to people 
with disabilities and chronic conditions. Subsequently, the point of 
order that the amendment was in violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and thus the amendment 
fell.                                               
Pages S249-51, S257
  By 47 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 16), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive all applicable sections of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and applicable budget resolutions, 
with respect to Enzi (for Barrasso) Amendment No. 181, to establish a 
deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to strengthening Social Security 
and repealing the Affordable Care Act and replacing it with patient-
centered, step-by-step health reforms that provide access to quality, 
affordable private health care coverage for all Americans, including 
people with disabilities and chronic conditions, and their families, by 
increasing competition, State flexibility, and individual choice, and 
safeguarding consumer protections, such as a ban on lifetime limits, 
that Americans support. Subsequently, the point of order that the 
amendment was in violation of Section

[[Page D36]]

305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and 
thus the amendment fell.                                  
Pages S258-59
  By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 17), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive all applicable sections of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Enzi (for Hatch) 
Amendment No. 179, to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating 
to reforming housing and Medicaid without prioritizing able-bodied 
adults over the disabled or raiding Medicare Trust Funds to pay for new 
government programs. Subsequently, the point of order that the 
amendment was in violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and thus the amendment fell. 
                                                          Pages S258-60
  By 48 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 18), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive all applicable sections of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Sanders (for 
Menendez) Amendment No. 83, to create a point of order against 
legislation that would eliminate or reduce Federal funding to States 
under the Medicaid expansion. Subsequently, the point of order that the 
amendment was in violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and thus the amendment fell. 
                                                    Pages S249-51, S260
  By 49 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 19), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive all applicable sections of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and applicable budget resolutions, 
with respect to Alexander Amendment No. 174, to strengthen Social 
Security and Medicare without raiding them to pay for new government 
programs, to reform Medicaid without prioritizing able-bodied adults 
over the disabled, and to ensure that any importation does not increase 
risk to public health according to the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment was in 
violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
was sustained, and thus the amendment fell.               
Pages S260-61
  By 47 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 21), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 with respect to Wyden Amendment No. 188, to create a 
point of order against legislation that does not lower drug prices. 
Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment was in violation of 
Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was 
sustained, and thus the amendment fell.                       
Page S262
  By 52 yeas to 46 nays (Vote No. 22), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive all applicable sections of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and applicable budget resolutions, 
with respect to Fischer Amendment No. 184, to establish a deficit-
neutral reserve fund relating to strengthening Social Security or 
health care for women, which may include strengthening community health 
centers, and repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. 
Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment was in violation of 
Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was 
sustained, and thus the amendment fell.                   
Pages S263-64
  By 49 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 23), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 with respect to Sanders (for Gillibrand) Amendment 
No. 82, to create a point of order against legislation relating to 
women's health. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment was 
in violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974 was sustained, and thus the amendment fell. 
                                                 Pages S249-51, S263-64
  By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 24), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive all applicable sections of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Enzi (for Hatch) 
Amendment No. 180, to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating 
to strengthening Social Security and repealing and replacing the 
Affordable Care Act with reforms that strengthen Medicaid and the 
Children's Health Insurance Program without prioritizing able-bodied 
adults over the disabled or children and lead to patient-centered, 
step-by-step health reforms that provide access to quality, affordable 
private health care coverage for all Americans and their families by 
increasing competition, State flexibility, and individual choice, and 
safeguarding consumer protections that Americans support. Subsequently, 
the point of order that the amendment was in violation of Section 
305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and 
thus the amendment fell.                                  
Pages S263-65
  By 49 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 25), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate 
rejected the motion to waive section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 with respect to Sanders (for Brown) Amendment No. 
86, to create a point of order against legislation that would undermine 
the

[[Page D37]]

historic coverage gains the United States has made in children's 
health, which have resulted in the lowest uninsured rate for children 
in the Nation's history. Subsequently, the point of order that the 
amendment was in violation of Section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and thus the amendment fell. 
                                                    Pages S253-54, S265
Message from the President: Senate received the following message from 
the President of the United States:
  Transmitting, pursuant to law, the 2016 National Drug Control 
Strategy; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (PM-1) 
                                                          Pages S273-74
Messages from the House:                                      
  Page S274
Measures Referred:                                            
  Page S274
Executive Communications:                                 
  Pages S274-76
Additional Cosponsors:                                    
  Pages S276-80
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:               
  Pages S280-81
Additional Statements:                                        
  Page S273
Amendments Submitted:                                     
  Pages S281-95
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                           
  Page S295
Privileges of the Floor:                                      
  Page S295
Record Votes: Twenty record votes were taken today. (Total--26) 
                                  Pages S252-57, S259-62, S264-65, S268
Adjournment: Senate convened at 12 noon on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 
and adjourned at 1:36 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017, until 12:30 
p.m. on the same day. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the 
Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S295.)