[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 209 (Thursday, December 21, 2017)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1353-D1357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                        Thursday, December 21, 2017

[[Page D1353]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate agreed to the motion to concur in the amendment of the 
      House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 1370, Department of 
      Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act (the 
      legislative vehicle for the ``Further Additional Continuing 
      Appropriations Act'').


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S8187-S8281
Measures Introduced: Fifteen bills and four resolutions were 
introduced, as follows: S. 2260-2274, S.J. Res. 51, and S. Res. 364-
366.                                                     
  Pages S8259-60
Measures Passed:
  Congratulating the University of Nebraska-Lincoln volleyball team: 
Senate agreed to S. Res. 365, congratulating the University of 
Nebraska-Lincoln volleyball team for winning the 2017 National 
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Volleyball Championship. 
                                                         Pages S8263-64
  Gateway Arch National Park Designation Act: Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of S. 1438, 
to redesignate the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in the State 
of Missouri as the ``Gateway Arch National Park'', and the bill was 
then passed.                                                 
  Page S8267
  African American Civil Rights Network Act: Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 
1927, to amend title 54, United States Code, to establish within the 
National Park Service the African American Civil Rights Network, and 
the bill was then passed.                                    
  Page S8267
  Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act: Senate passed 
S. 35, to transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain Bureau of 
Land Management land from the Secretary of the Interior to the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for inclusion in the Black Hills National 
Cemetery, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.                                              
  Pages S8267-68
  Cerros del Norte Conservation Act: Senate passed S. 432, to designate 
the Cerro del Yuta and Rio San Antonio Wilderness Areas in the State of 
New Mexico.                                              
  Pages S8267-68
  Kaibab National Forest: Senate passed S. 466, to clarify the 
description of certain Federal land under the Northern Arizona Land 
Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act of 2005 to include 
additional land in the Kaibab National Forest.           
  Pages S8267-68
  Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Act: Senate passed 
H.R. 267, to redesignate the Martin Luther King, Junior, National 
Historic Site in the State of Georgia.                   
  Pages S8267-68
  The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Improvement Act: 
Senate passed H.R. 560, to amend the Delaware Water Gap National 
Recreation Area Improvement Act to provide access to certain vehicles 
serving residents of municipalities adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap 
National Recreation Area.                                
  Pages S8267-68
  Mount Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act: Senate passed 
H.R. 699, to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to 
modify provisions relating to certain land exchanges in the Mt. Hood 
Wilderness in the State of Oregon.                       
  Pages S8267-68
  Coltsville National Historical Park: Senate passed H.R. 863, to 
facilitate the addition of park administration at the Coltsville 
National Historical Park.                                
  Pages S8267-68
  National Memorial to Fallen Educators Act: Senate passed S. 167, to 
designate a National Memorial to Fallen Educators at the National 
Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas, after agreeing to the 
committee amendment.                                     
  Pages S8267-68

[[Page D1354]]

  John Muir Wilderness of the Sierra National Forest: Senate passed 
H.R. 381, to designate a mountain in the John Muir Wilderness of the 
Sierra National Forest as ``Sky Point''.                 
  Pages S8267-68
  Rockingham County, Virginia land transferred: Senate passed H.R. 954, 
to remove the use restrictions on certain land transferred to 
Rockingham County, Virginia.                             
  Pages S8267-68
  400 Years of African American History Commission Act: Senate passed 
H.R. 1242, to establish the 400 Years of African American History 
Commission.                                              
  Pages S8267-68
  Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act: Senate passed H.R. 1306, to 
provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land in the State of 
Oregon.                                                  
  Pages S8267-68
  Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Boundary 
Modification Act: Senate passed H.R. 2611, to modify the boundary of 
the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. 
                                                         Pages S8267-69
  Diesel Emissions Reduction Act: Senate passed S. 1447, to reauthorize 
the diesel emissions reduction program.                  
  Pages S8269-70
  Subsequently, passage of the bill was vitiated.            
Page S8280
  Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail 
Initiative Act: Senate passed S. 1208, to direct the Secretary of 
Homeland Security to provide for an option under the Secure Mail 
Initiative under which a person to whom a document is sent under that 
initiative may elect to have the United States Postal Service use the 
Hold for Pickup service or the Signature Confirmation service in 
delivering the document, after agreeing to the committee amendments. 
                                                         Pages S8270-71
  Federal Register Printing Savings Act: Senate passed H.R. 195, to 
amend title 44, United States Code, to restrict the distribution of 
free printed copies of the Federal Register to Members of Congress and 
other officers and employees of the United States, after agreeing to 
the following amendment proposed thereto:                    
  Page S8271
  McConnell (for Grassley) Amendment No. 1864, to amend the Violent 
Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, to reauthorize the 
Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program, and to promote 
initiatives that will reduce the risk of injury and death relating to 
the wandering characteristics of some children with autism. 
                                                             Page S8271
  Kevin and Avonte's Law: Senate passed S. 2070, to amend the Violent 
Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, to reauthorize the 
Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program, and to promote 
initiatives that will reduce the risk of injury and death relating to 
the wandering characteristics of some children with autism, after 
agreeing to the committee amendment, and the following amendment 
proposed thereto:                                        
  Pages S8271-76
  McConnell (for Grassley) Amendment No. 1865, to make technical 
corrections.                                                 
Page S8273
  Condemning the Government of Iran: Senate agreed to S. Res. 139, 
condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its 
Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International 
Covenants on Human Rights, after agreeing to the committee amendment. 
                                                         Pages S8276-77
  Ceiling Fan Energy Conservation Harmonization Act: Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration 
of S. 2030, to deem the compliance date for amended energy conservation 
standards for ceiling light kits to be January 21, 2020, and the bill 
was then passed.                                         
  Pages S8277-78
  Length of fishing vessels: Senate passed S. 2273, to extend the 
period during which vessels that are shorter than 79 feet in length and 
fishing vessels are not required to have a permit for discharges 
incidental to the normal operation of the vessel.            
  Page S8278
  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month: Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further 
consideration of S. Res. 336, recognizing the seriousness of Polycystic 
Ovary Syndrome and expressing support for the designation of the month 
of September 2018 as ``Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month'', and 
the resolution was then agreed to, after agreeing to the following 
amendments proposed thereto:                                 
  Page S8278
  McConnell (for Warren) Amendment No. 1866, to amend the resolving 
clause.                                                      
Page S8278
  McConnell (for Warren) Amendment No. 1867, to amend the preamble. 
                                                             Page S8278
  Congratulating the University of Central Missouri women's soccer 
team: Senate agreed to S. Res. 364, congratulating the University of 
Central Missouri women's soccer team for winning the National 
Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Women's Soccer Championship 
at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri.        
  Pages S8278-79
  National Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness Week: Committee on the 
Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 327, 
designating the week of November 5 through 12, 2017, as ``National 
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness Week'', and the resolution was then 
agreed to.                                                   
  Page S8279

[[Page D1355]]

  EPS Improvement Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was 
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 518, to amend the Energy 
Policy and Conservation Act 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 from 
energy conservation standards for external power supplies, and the bill 
was then passed.                                             
  Page S8279
  INTERDICT Act: Senate passed H.R. 2142, to improve the ability of 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection to interdict fentanyl, other 
synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that 
are illegally imported into the United States.               
  Page S8279
  Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act: Committee on the 
Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2228, to 
provide support for law enforcement agency efforts to protect the 
mental health and well-being of law enforcement officers, and the bill 
was then passed.                                             
  Page S8279
  Connected Government Act: Senate passed H.R. 2331, to require a new 
or updated Federal website that is intended for use by the public to be 
mobile friendly.                                             
  Page S8279
  United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program 
Reauthorization Act: Senate passed H.R. 4661, to reauthorize the United 
States Fire Administration, the Assistance to Firefighters Grants 
program, the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants program, and the 
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program. 
                                                             Page S8280
House Messages:
  Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act: By 66 yeas to 32 
nays (Vote No. 325), Senate agreed to the motion to concur in the 
amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 1370, to 
amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of 
Homeland Security to issue Department of Homeland Security-wide 
guidance and develop training programs as part of the Department of 
Homeland Security Blue Campaign. (A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that the motion to concur in the amendment of the 
House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill, having achieved 60 
affirmatives votes, be agreed to.)                       
  Pages S8235-36
  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 91 yeas to 8 nays (Vote No. 324), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed 
to the motion to waive all applicable sections of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 and applicable budget resolution for the purpose of 
the House message to accompany the bill. Subsequently, the point of 
order that the motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the 
amendment of the Senate to the bill was in violation of section 306 of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not sustained, and the point 
of order fails.                                              
Page S8235
Appointments:
  United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: The Chair 
announced, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to the provisions 
of Public Law 106-398, as amended by Public Law 108-7, and in 
consultation with the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Armed 
Services and the Senate Committee on Finance, the re-appointment of the 
following individual to serve as a member of the United States-China 
Economic Security Review Commission: James M. Talent of Missouri, for a 
term expiring December 31, 2019.                             
  Page S8280
  United States-China Economic Security Review Commission:  The Chair 
announced, on behalf of the Democratic Leader, pursuant to the 
provisions of Public Law 106-398, as amended by Public Law 108-7, and 
in consultation with the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Armed 
Services and the Senate Committee on Finance, the re-appointment of the 
following individual to serve as a member of the United States-China 
Economic Security Review Commission: The Honorable Carte P. Goodwin of 
West Virginia for a term beginning January 1, 2018 and expiring 
December 31, 2019.                                           
  Page S8280
Pro Forma Sessions--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that the Senate adjourn, to then convene for pro 
forma sessions only, with no business being conducted on the following 
dates and times, and that following each pro forma session, the Senate 
adjourn until the next pro forma session: Saturday, December 23, 2017 
at 11 a.m.; Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 10 a.m.; Friday, December 
29, 2017 at 11:30 a.m.; Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 4 p.m.; and that 
when the Senate adjourns on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, it next convene 
at 12 noon, on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, pursuant to the 
Constitution.                                                
  Page S8280
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 declaring a national emergency with respect to the 
unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign 
policy, and economy of the United States posed by serious human rights 
abuse and corruption around

[[Page D1356]]

the world; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs. (PM-23)                                       
Page S8253
Nominations Status Quo--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that the list at the desk of nominations received 
during the 115th Congress, 1st session, remain in status quo, 
notwithstanding the provisions of Rule XXXI.                 
  Page S8241
Rood Nomination--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that at 5 p.m., on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, Senate begin 
consideration of the nomination of John C. Rood, of Arizona, to be 
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, under the order of Wednesday, 
December 20, 2017.                                           
  Page S8280
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
  Robert Charrow, of Maryland, to be General Counsel of the Department 
of Health and Human Services.
  Robert P. Storch, of the District of Columbia, to be Inspector 
General of the National Security Agency.
  Hester Maria Peirce, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Securities and 
Exchange Commission for a term expiring June 5, 2020.
  Robert J. Jackson, Jr., of New York, to be a Member of the Securities 
and Exchange Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 5, 
2019.
  Suzanne Israel Tufts, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development.
  Katherine Brunett McGuire, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary 
of Labor.
  Kenneth E. Allen, of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 
2021.
  A.D. Frazier, of Georgia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of 
the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 2022.
  Jeffrey Smith, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Board of Directors 
of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 2022.
  James R. Thompson III, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 
2021.
  Kate S. O'Scannlain, of Maryland, to be Solicitor for the Department 
of Labor.
  Brock D. Bierman, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development.
  Preston Rutledge, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant 
Secretary of Labor.
  Jon J. Rychalski, of Montana, to be Chief Financial Officer, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Christopher Caldwell, of Arkansas, to be Federal Cochairperson, Delta 
Regional Authority.
  Kenneth J. Braithwaite, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador of the 
Untied States of America to the Kingdom of Norway.
  Leonard Wolfson, of Connecticut, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development.
  Irving Dennis, of Ohio, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development.
  M. Lee McClenny, of Washington, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign 
Service, Class of Minister-Counselor to be Ambassador to the Republic 
of Paraguay.
  Douglas Webster, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, 
Department of Education.
  Christopher Ashley Ford, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
State (International Security and Non-Proliferation).
  Timothy R. Petty, of Indiana, to be an Assistant Secretary of the 
Interior.
  John G. Vonglis, of New York, to be Chief Financial Officer, 
Department of Energy.
  Linda Capuano, of Texas, to be Administrator of the Energy 
Information Administration.
  Johnny Collett, of Kentucky, to be Assistant Secretary for Special 
Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education.
  Tadd M. Johnson, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the Board of 
Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a 
term expiring October 6, 2022.
  Lisa Johnson-Billy, of Oklahoma, to be a Member of the Board of 
Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a 
term expiring August 25, 2018.
  Lisa Johnson-Billy, of Oklahoma, to be a Member of the Board of 
Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a 
term expiring August 25, 2024.                 
Pages S8241-43, S8280-81
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  William F. Jung, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for 
the Middle District of Florida.
  Jill Alko Otake, of Hawaii, to be United States District Judge for 
the District of Hawaii.
  William M. McSwain, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Attorney for 
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for the term of four years.
  Billy J. Williams, of Oregon, to be United States Attorney for the 
District of Oregon for the term of four years.               
Page S8280
Messages from the House:                                 
  Pages S8253-54

[[Page D1357]]

Measures Referred:                                           
  Page S8254
Measures Read the First Time:                                
  Page S8254
Executive Communications:                                
  Pages S8254-58
Petitions and Memorials:                                 
  Pages S8258-59
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S8260-61
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S8261-63
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S8251-53
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S8265-67
Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--325) 
                                                         Pages S8235-36
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10:01 a.m. and adjourned at 10:02 p.m., 
until 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2017. (For Senate's program, 
see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S8280.)