[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 54 (Thursday, March 28, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2082-S2085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to executive session for the consideration of Calendar Nos. 130 
through 156 and all nominations on the Secretary's desk; that the 
nominations be confirmed; that the motions to reconsider be considered 
made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that 
no further motions be in order; that any statements related to the 
nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately 
notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative 
session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. MERKLEY. Reserving the right to object, Mr. President.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon is recognized.
  Mr. MERKLEY. The majority leader has said he is going to put a rule 
change on the floor, and we are going to return to historical norm. The 
historical norm has been that when such issues are on the floor, 
amendments will be allowed.
  Does the majority leader intend to allow amendments?
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I understand the Senator from Oregon is 
propounding a question. If he would repeat it, I would appreciate it.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon.
  Mr. MERKLEY. Referring to historical norms, it has been a historical 
norm to allow amendments on the floor of this Chamber so that they 
could be debated, and I recall very well listening to you complain a 
great deal about Harry Reid's blocking of amendments, blocking the 
tree, and he did, in fact, do that as the majority leader.
  Then he would negotiate with that whole set of amendments on both 
sides. It took some time, but there were amendments.
  We have had a historic lull in amendments, and now we are proposing a 
rule change on how this Chamber operates. So isn't it the right thing 
to do, before returning to historical norm or trying to restore that 
sense of making this a functioning Chamber--
  Mr. McCONNELL. Is the Senator asking me a question?
  Mr. MERKLEY. Yes.--to allow amendments when this comes to the floor? 
I am asking if he would allow such amendments.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, let me say that we have had a number of 
bills that were brought to the floor open for amendment. One of the 
things we devolved into here, another unfortunate precedent, is Members 
objecting to time agreements on amendments from either side. So even if 
the majority leader calls up a bill and has it open for amendment, 
unless Members of the Senate in both parties will allow there to be 
time agreements so that we can actually have votes on amendments, it 
gets bogged down.
  I think the complaint of my friend from Oregon is legitimate. I have 
been very frustrated by the fact that when I

[[Page S2083]]

call up a bill and open it up for amendments, I have Members on both 
sides preventing each other's amendments from getting a vote. I share 
the frustration of my colleague from Oregon, but I assure him that when 
I call up a bill and say that it is open for amendment, it is open for 
amendment. It is just that it requires Senatorial bipartisan 
cooperation to set time agreements to actually have such votes.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent--I think I have a UC 
agreement, a UC pending.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the request with respect 
to the--
  Mr. MERKLEY. Reserving the right to object, I didn't actually get 
clarity on whether he will open the floor for amendments when he will 
bring this rule change to the floor--whether it will be open in the 
sense that when one amendment is completed, a Senator can ask for 
another to be considered or only the amendments he approves will be 
allowed to be considered.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, in order to guarantee a particular 
amendment would get a vote without consent, we would have to be able to 
get 60 votes and vote cloture to advance the amendment.
  I will just reiterate to my friend from Oregon that his complaint is 
legitimate, but it does require, no matter what the majority leader 
says with regard to openness of the bill, some level of bipartisan 
cooperation in order to process amendments. We have tried that on 
numerous occasions, and Members on both sides have sort of hunkered 
down and objected to each other's amendments, thereby making the 
amendment process, in an open fashion, simply impossible.
  I do have a consent agreement pending. I don't know whether the 
Senator from Oregon wants to continue to object to all of these--
  Mr. MERKLEY. Reserving the right to object.
  Mr. McCONNELL.--nominations, which would include people from the 
Marine Corps, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Army. I was seeking the 
military promotions of these people who are serving our country in the 
Armed Forces.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. MERKLEY. Reserving the right to object, I will, in fact, make 
this the last time I reserve the right to object, simply to make the 
point that there are many ideas for improving this Chamber that have 
not had due consideration.
  My colleague has expressed a lot of frustration over executive 
nominations. I put forward an amendment in the minority establishing a 
100-day clock for amendments to be voted before this floor once the 
paperwork is complete. Others have other ideas, including the ability 
to have a time at the start of every 2 years to be able to have an open 
debate on amendments--on how we work. Others have other ideas for 
improving this Chamber.
  I think such a debate is way overdue, but if it is the majority 
leader's intent to allow just the one issue that he is bringing 
forward, then that is not turning the clock back to historical norm.
  I was here in this Chamber in 1976 and during the eighties, seeing 
this body debate issues. I would ask, if my colleague brings this to 
the floor as he is planning to do, that he open it up for amendments. 
Get a time agreement. I will certainly encourage my side to agree to 
such a thing.
  I take your point about it not just being a delay. I think there are 
serious possibilities for improving how we work that should be debated. 
I hope my colleague will open the floor for amendments.
  I withdraw my objection.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The nominations considered and confirmed are as follows:


                          IN THE MARINE CORPS

       The following named officers for appointment in the United 
     States Marine Corps Reserve to the grade indicated under 
     title 10, U.S.C., section 12203:

                        To be brigadier general

     Col. Leonard F. Anderson, IV
     Col. William E. Souza, III


                              IN THE NAVY

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                           To be rear admiral

     Rear Adm. (lh) Peter G. Stamatopoulos

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                           To be rear admiral

     Rear Adm. (lh) Gayle D. Shaffer

       The following named officers for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                           To be rear admiral

     Rear Adm. (lh) Kelly A. Aeschbach
     Rear Adm. (lh) Frank D. Whitworth

       The following named officers for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:
     Rear Adm. (lh) Blake L. Converse
     Rear Adm. (lh) Charles B. Cooper, II
     Rear Adm. (lh) Donald D. Gabrielson
     Rear Adm. (lh) Gregory N. Harris
     Rear Adm. (lh) Jeffrey T. Jablon
     Rear Adm. (lh) Yancy B. Lindsey
     Rear Adm. (lh) John F. Meier
     Rear Adm. (lh) James E. Pitts
     Rear Adm. (lh) John B. Skillman
     Rear Adm. (lh) Karl O. Thomas
     Rear Adm. (lh) John F. Wade
     Rear Adm. (lh) Michael A. Wettlaufer

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                    To be rear admiral (lower half)

     Capt. Dean A. Vanderley

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                    To be rear admiral (lower half)

     Capt. Kenneth W. Epps

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                    To be rear admiral (lower half)

     Capt. Timothy H. Weber

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                    To be rear admiral (lower half)

     Capt. James L. Hancock

       The following named officers for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                    To be rear admiral (lower half)

     Capt. Nicholas M. Homan
     Capt. Michael J. Vernazza

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                    To be rear admiral (lower half)

     Capt. Charles W. Brown

       The following named officer for appointment as Chief of 
     Naval Personnel and appointment in the United States Navy to 
     the grade indicated while assigned to a position of 
     importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., 
     sections 601 and 5141:

                           To be vice admiral

     Rear Adm. John B. Nowell, Jr.


                            IN THE AIR FORCE

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Air Force to the grade indicated while assigned to a 
     position of importance and responsibility under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 601:

                        To be lieutenant general

     Maj. Gen. Steven L. Basham

       The following named Air National Guard of the United States 
     officer for appointment in the Reserve of the Air Force to 
     the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., sections 12203 
     and 12212:

                        To be brigadier general

     Col. Steven J. Butow


                              in the army

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a 
     position of importance and responsibility under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 601:

                        To be lieutenant general

     Maj. Gen. Karen H. Gibson


                              in the navy

       The following named officers for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                           To be rear admiral

     Rear Adm. (lh) James P. Downey
     Rear Adm. (lh) Shane G. Gahagan
     Rear Adm. (lh) Francis D. Morley

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated while assigned to a 
     position of importance and responsibility under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 601:

                           To be vice admiral

     Rear Adm. Ronald A. Boxall


                              in the army

       The following named officer for appointment as Chief of 
     Chaplains, United States Army, and appointment in the United 
     States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to that 
     position under title 10, U.S.C., sections 7036 and 7073:

                          To be major general

     Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Solhjem

       The following named officers for appointment in the United 
     States Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., 
     section 624:

                          To be major general

     Brig: Gen. Telita Crosland

[[Page S2084]]

     Brig. Gen. Dennis P. LeMaster

       The following named Army National Guard of the United 
     States officer for appointment as the Director, Army National 
     Guard, and for appointment to the grade indicated in the 
     Reserve of the Army under title 10, U.S.C., sections 601 and 
     10506:

                        To be lieutenant general

     Lt. Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a 
     position of importance and responsibility under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 601:

                        To be lieutenant general

     Maj. Gen. Leon N. Thurgood

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a 
     position of importance and responsibility under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 601:

                        To be lieutenant general

     Maj. Gen. Walter E. Piatt


                            in the air force

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Air Force to the grade indicated while assigned to a 
     position of importance and responsibility under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 601:

                        To be lieutenant general

     Lt. Gen. James C. Slife


                              in the army

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a 
     position of importance and responsibility under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 601:

                             To be general

     Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk, II


                              in the navy

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated while assigned to a 
     position of importance and responsibility under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 601:

                           To be vice admiral

     Rear Adm. Dee L. Mewbourne

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated while assigned to a 
     position of importance and responsibility under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 601:

                           To be vice admiral

     Rear Adm. Jon A. Hill

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Navy to the grade indicated while assigned to a 
     position of importance and responsibility under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 601:

                           To be vice admiral

     Rear Adm. Stuart B. Munsch

               Nominations Placed on the Secretary's Desk


                            IN THE AIR FORCE

       PN288 AIR FORCE nominations (55) beginning DANIEL M. 
     ANDERSON, and ending DENISE M. ZONA, which nominations were 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of January 24, 2019.
       PN425 AIR FORCE nomination of Thomas D. Crimmins, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of February 25, 2019.
       PN427 AIR FORCE nominations (16) beginning SHAWN C. BISHOP, 
     and ending CHRISTIAN L. WILLIAMS, which nominations were 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of February 25, 2019.
       PN428 AIR FORCE nominations (14) beginning MICHELL A. 
     ARCHEBELLE, and ending SHELLEY A. SHELTON, which nominations 
     were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of February 25, 2019.
       PN429 AIR FORCE nominations (6) beginning PETER N. FISCHER, 
     and ending JONATHAN H. WADE, which nominations were received 
     by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of 
     February 25, 2019.
       PN430 AIR FORCE nominations (425) beginning BRIAN M. 
     ALEXANDER, and ending JASON C. ZUMWALT, which nominations 
     were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of February 25, 2019.
       PN472 AIR FORCE nomination of Latoya D. Smith, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN473 AIR FORCE nomination of Lisa Marie Ahaesy, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN500 AIR FORCE nominations (3) beginning JULIE HUYGEN, and 
     ending TOM POSCH, which nominations were received by the 
     Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of March 6, 
     2019.


                              IN THE ARMY

       PN305 ARMY nomination of Matthew D. Colsia, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of January 24, 2019.
       PN306 ARMY nomination of Deven R. Gaston, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of January 24, 2019.
       PN380 ARMY nominations (949) beginning ADRIAN ACEVEDO, and 
     ending G010477, which nominations were received by the Senate 
     and appeared in the Congressional Record of February 6, 2019.
       PN381 ARMY nominations (556) beginning BENJAMIN T. ABEL, 
     and ending G010598, which nominations were received by the 
     Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of February 
     6, 2019.
       PN382 ARMY nominations (555) beginning KWANSAH E. ACKAH, 
     and ending D014862, which nominations were received by the 
     Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of February 
     6, 2019.
       PN383 ARMY nominations (51) beginning ALAN ADAME, and 
     ending D013619, which nominations were received by the Senate 
     and appeared in the Congressional Record of February 6, 2019.
       PN384 ARMY nomination of Elizabeth A. Fields, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of February 6, 2019.
       PN433 ARMY nomination of P. J. Fox, which was received by 
     the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of 
     February 25, 2019.
       PN434 ARMY nomination of Nathan M. Clayton, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of February 25, 2019.
       PN435 ARMY nomination of Adam P. James, which was received 
     by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of 
     February 25, 2019.
       PN436 ARMY nominations (33) beginning JASON S. BAKER, and 
     ending RICHARD J. ZEIGLER, which nominations were received by 
     the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of 
     February 25, 2019.
       PN437 ARMY nomination of Shelia R. Day, which was received 
     by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of 
     February 25, 2019.
       PN438 ARMY nomination of Robert D. Cope, which was received 
     by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of 
     February 25, 2019.
       PN439 ARMY nomination of William C. Mitchell, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of February 25, 2019.
       PN474 ARMY nomination of Rubirosa B. Bago, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN475 ARMY nomination of Meghan C. Gerrity, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN476 ARMY nomination of Daniel M. Jansen, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN477 ARMY nomination of Randolph Powell, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN478 ARMY nomination of Michael J. Prokos, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN481 ARMY nomination of Anthony Bellofigueroa, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN482 ARMY nomination of Sean R. Richardson, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN483 ARMY nomination of Kahtonna C. Allen, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN484 ARMY nomination of Angelo N. Catalano, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN485 ARMY nomination of Charles J. Calais, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN486 ARMY nomination of Robert T. Evans, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN501 ARMY nominations (2) beginning PAULA I. SCHASBERGER, 
     and ending JAN E. ALDYKIEWICZ, which nominations were 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 6, 2019.


                          IN THE MARINE CORPS

       PN319 MARINE CORPS nominations (2) beginning STEVEN M. 
     ANGELINE, and ending Curtis E. Borjas, which nominations were 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of January 24, 2019.
       PN326 MARINE CORPS nominations (2) beginning DAVID F. 
     HUNLEY, and ending JAMES P. STOCKWELL, which nominations were 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of January 24, 2019.
       PN328 MARINE CORPS nomination of John C. Jarvis, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of January 24, 2019.
       PN337 MARINE CORPS nominations (2) beginning NATHANEAL J. 
     HART, JR., and ending DUSTIN R. HEFFEL, which nominations 
     were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of January 24, 2019.
       PN340 MARINE CORPS nominations (5) beginning MATTHEW J. 
     ANDERSON, and ending ISAAC K. TIBAYAN, which nominations were 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of January 24, 2019.


                               IN THE NAVY

       PN487 NAVY nomination of Edward M. Prendergast, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN489 NAVY nomination of Thomas L. Hinnant, III, which was 
     received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional 
     Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN490 NAVY nomination of Sanjay Sharma, which was received 
     by the Senate

[[Page S2085]]

     and appeared in the Congressional Record of March 5, 2019.
       PN502 NAVY nomination of Angela Tang, which was received by 
     the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of March 
     6, 2019.

                          ____________________