[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 131 (Thursday, August 1, 2019)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D944-D949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                           Thursday, August 1, 2019

[[Page D944]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed H.R. 3877, Bipartisan Budget Act.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S5279-S5322
Measures Introduced: Thirty-one bills and three resolutions were 
introduced, as follows: S. 2412-2442, and S. Res. 303-305. 
                                                         Pages S5311-12
Measures Reported:
  S. 2302, to amend title 23, United States Code, to authorize funds 
for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs, with 
an amendment in the nature of a substitute.                  
Page S5310
Measures Passed:
  Bipartisan Budget Act: By 67 yeas to 28 nays (Vote No. 262), Senate 
passed H.R. 3877, to amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985, to establish a congressional budget for fiscal 
years 2020 and 2021, to temporarily suspend the debt limit, after 
taking action on the following motion and amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                         Pages S5281-89
Rejected:
  By 23 yeas to 70 nays (Vote No. 260), Paul Amendment No. 932, in the 
nature of a substitute. (Pursuant to the order of Tuesday, July 30, 
2019, the amendment having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, was 
not agreed to.)                                          
Pages S5287-88
  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 67 yeas to 27 nays (Vote No. 261), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed 
to the motion to close further debate on the bill.       
Pages S5281-88
  National Workforce Development Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 304, 
designating September 2019 as ``National Workforce Development Month''.
                                                             Page S5318
  National Estuaries Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 305, designating 
the week of September 14 through September 21, 2019, as ``National 
Estuaries Week''.                                            
  Page S5318
  Presidential Transition Enhancement Act: Senate passed S. 394, to 
amend the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 to improve the orderly 
transfer of the executive power during Presidential transitions, after 
agreeing to the committee amendments.                    
  Pages S5318-20
  Rebuilding Small Businesses After Disasters Act: Senate passed S. 
862, to extend the sunset for collateral requirements for Small 
Business Administration disaster loans, after agreeing to the following 
amendments proposed thereto:                             
  Pages S5320-21
  McConnell (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 936, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                              
Pages S5320-21
  McConnell (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 937, to amend the title. 
                                                             Page S5321
  Family Farmer Relief Act: Senate passed H.R. 2336, to amend title 11, 
United States Code, with respect to the definition of ``family 
farmer''.                                                    
  Page S5321
  HAVEN Act: Senate passed H.R. 2938, to exempt from the calculation of 
monthly income certain benefits paid by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and the Department of Defense.                       
  Page S5321
  National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act: Senate 
passed H.R. 3304, to exempt for an additional 4-year period, from the 
application of the means-test presumption of abuse under chapter 7, 
qualifying members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and 
members of the National Guard who, after September 11, 2001, are called 
to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less 
than 90 days.                                                
  Page S5321
  Small Business Reorganization Act: Senate passed H.R. 3311, to amend 
chapter 11 of title 11, United States Code, to address reorganization 
of small businesses.                                         
  Page S5321
Authority for Committees--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that, notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, 
Committees be authorized to report legislative and

[[Page D945]]

executive matters on Friday, August 16, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 
p.m.                                                         
  Page S5318
Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that the Majority Leader, and Senator Cornyn, be authorized 
to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions on Thursday, August 1, 
2019 and Friday, August 2, 2019.                             
  Page S5318
Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the 
upcoming adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the 
President Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leaders be 
authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, 
conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by 
concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate. 
                                                             Page S5318
Ebola Eradication Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement 
was reached providing that at a time to be determined by the Majority 
Leader, in consultation with the Democratic Leader, no later than 
Thursday, September 26, 2019, Senate begin consideration of S. 1340, to 
authorize activities to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo; that Lee Amendment No. 935, be the only 
amendment in order, that there be two hours of debate equally divided 
between the two Leaders, or their designees, followed by a vote on 
adoption of Lee Amendment No. 935 with a 60-vote affirmative threshold 
for adoption; and that following disposition of Lee Amendment No. 935, 
the committee substitute, as amended, if amended, be agreed to, and 
Senate vote on passage of the bill, as amended, with no intervening 
action or debate.                                            
  Page S5321
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: Friday, August 2, 2019, at 1 
p.m.; Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at 9 a.m.; Friday, August 9, 2019, at 9 
a.m.; Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at 12:30 p.m.; Friday, August 16, 2019, 
at 3 p.m.; Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at 9 a.m.; Friday, August 23, 
2019, at 9:15 a.m.; Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at 10 a.m.; Friday, 
August 30, 2019, at 5 p.m.; Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at 1 p.m.; 
Friday, September 6, 2019, at 8:30 a.m.; and that when the Senate 
adjourns on Friday, September 6, 2019, it next convene at 3 p.m., on 
Monday, September 9, 2019.                                   
  Page S5321
Nominations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that the previous order of Wednesday, July 31, 2019, with 
respect to district judges be modified to allow for confirmation votes 
notwithstanding Rule XXII.                                   
  Page S5295
Craft Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination 
of Kelly Craft, of Kentucky, to be Representative of the United States 
of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United 
Nations during her tenure of service as Representative of the United 
States of America to the United Nations, Department of State. 
                                                             Page S5298
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, 
in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, and pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of 
Thursday, August 1, 2019, a vote on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m. on 
Monday, September 9, 2019.                               
Pages S5298-99
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5298
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5298
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate 
resume consideration of the nomination at approximately 3 p.m., on 
Monday, September 9, 2019; and that notwithstanding the provisions of 
Rule XXII, the cloture motions filed during the session of Thursday, 
August 1, 2019 ripen at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2019. 
                                                             Page S5321
Darling Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the 
nomination of Elizabeth Darling, of Texas, to be Commissioner on 
Children, Youth, and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.
                                                             Page S5299
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, 
in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the 
nomination of Kelly Craft, of Kentucky, to be Representative of the 
United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the 
United Nations during her tenure of service as Representative of the 
United States of America to the United Nations, Department of State. 
                                                             Page S5299
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5299
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5299

[[Page D946]]

Akard Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination 
of Stephen Akard, of Indiana, to be Director of the Office of Foreign 
Missions, with the rank of Ambassador, Department of State. 
                                                             Page S5299
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, 
in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the 
nomination of Elizabeth Darling, of Texas, to be Commissioner on 
Children, Youth, and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.
                                                             Page S5299
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5299
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5299
Cabaniss Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the 
nomination of Dale Cabaniss, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office 
of Personnel Management.                                     
  Page S5299
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, 
in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the 
nomination of Stephen Akard, of Indiana, to be Director of the Office 
of Foreign Missions, with the rank of Ambassador, Department of State. 
                                                             Page S5299
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5299
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5299
Byrne Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination 
of James Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs.                                                     
  Page S5299
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, 
in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the 
nomination of Dale Cabaniss, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office 
of Personnel Management.                                     
Page S5299
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5299
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5299
Bowman Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the 
nomination of Michelle Bowman, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board 
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.           
  Pages S5299-S5300
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, 
in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the 
nomination of James Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs.                                     
Pages S5299-S5300
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5299
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5299
Feddo Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination 
of Thomas Peter Feddo, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of the 
Treasury for Investment Security.                            
  Page S5300
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, 
in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the 
nomination of Michelle Bowman, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board 
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.                  
Page S5300
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5300
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5300
  Nordquist Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the 
nomination of Jennifer D. Nordquist, of Virginia, to be United States 
Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and 
Development.                                                 
Page S5300
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, 
in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the 
nomination of Thomas Peter Feddo, of Virginia, to be Assistant 
Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security.           
Page S5300
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5300
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5300
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:

[[Page D947]]


  Richard K. Bell, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Cote d'Ivoire.
  Eliot Pedrosa, of Florida, to be United States Executive Director of 
the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of three years.
  Russell A. Berman, of California, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
  William English, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the 
National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 
2024.
  John Fonte, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Council on 
the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
  Marjorie Fisher Furman, of Michigan, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.
  Claire Griffin, of Washington, to be a Member of the National Council 
on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.
  Joyce Malcolm, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Council on 
the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
  Adair Margo, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Council on the 
Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.
  Matthew Rose, of Iowa, to be a Member of the National Council on the 
Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.
  William Schneider, Jr., of Colorado, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
  Noel Valis, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the National Council on 
the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
  Jennifer L. Homendy, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National 
Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2024.
  Thomas McCaffery, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
Defense.
  Michael Faulkender, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the 
Treasury.
  Randolph J. Stayin, of Virginia, to be a Member of the United States 
International Trade Commission for a term expiring June 16, 2026.
  Kenneth S. George, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Oriental 
Republic of Uruguay.
  W. Patrick Murphy, of Vermont, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of 
Cambodia.
  Kathe Hicks Albrecht, of California, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.
  Keegan F. Callanan, of Vermont, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.
  David Armand DeKeyser, of Alabama, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
  Robert J. Grey, Jr., of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 
13, 2020.
  Kim R. Holmes, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Council on 
the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.
  Phyllis Kaminsky, of Arizona, to be a Member of the National Council 
on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
  Abigail L. Kuzma, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 
13, 2019.
  Abigail L. Kuzma, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 
13, 2022.
  John G. Levi, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Board of Directors 
of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020.
  John G. Malcolm, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the 
Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term 
expiring July 13, 2020.
  Frank X. Neuner, Jr., of Louisiana, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 
13, 2019.
  Frank X. Neuner, Jr., of Louisiana, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 
13, 2022.
  Gloria Valencia-Weber, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 
13, 2020.
  Jean M. Yarbrough, of Maine, to be a Member of the National Council 
on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.
  Mary Anne Carter, of Tennessee, to be Chairperson of the National 
Endowment for the Arts for a term of four years.
  Sharon Fast Gustafson, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the 
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term of four years.
  Ron A. Bloom, of New York, to be a Governor of the United States 
Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2020.
  Roman Martinez IV, of Florida, to be a Governor of the United States 
Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2024.
  Mark Lee Greenblatt, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Department 
of the Interior.
  Lisa M. Schenck, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States 
Court of Military Commission Review.
  M. Miller Baker, of Louisiana, to be a Judge of the United States 
Court of International Trade.

[[Page D948]]


  Timothy M. Reif, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the 
United States Court of International Trade.
  James A. Crowell IV, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate 
Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of 
fifteen years.
  Jason Park, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of 
the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen 
years.
  Mark Schultz, of Nebraska, to be Commissioner of the Rehabilitation 
Services Administration, Department of Education.
  Courtney Dunbar Jones, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United 
States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years.
  Emin Toro, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court 
for a term of fifteen years.
  Michael Eric Wooten, of Virginia, to be Administrator for Federal 
Procurement Policy.
  William B. Kilbride, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 
2023.
  Julie Reiskin, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Board of Directors 
of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2019.
  John McLeod Barger, of California, to be a Governor of the United 
States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2021.
  Rainey R. Brandt, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate 
Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of 
fifteen years.
  Shana Frost Matini, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate 
Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of 
fifteen years.
  Christopher Landau, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the United 
Mexican States.
  Michael J.K. Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be an Associate Director 
of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
  Richard B. Norland, of Iowa, to be Ambassador to Libya.
  Jonathan R. Cohen, of California, to be Ambassador to the Arab 
Republic of Egypt.
  Ann C. Fisher, of the District of Columbia, to be a Commissioner of 
the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring October 14, 2024.
  Philip S. Goldberg, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to 
the Republic of Colombia.
  Jessica E. Lapenn, of New York, to be Representative of the United 
States of America to the African Union, with the rank and status of 
Ambassador.
  Wilmer Ocasio, of Puerto Rico, to be United States Marshal for the 
District of Puerto Rico for the term of four years.
  Amy Karpel, of Washington, to be a Member of the United States 
International Trade Commission for a term expiring June 16, 2023.
  Ashley Jay Elizabeth Poling, of North Carolina, to be a Commissioner 
of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring November 22, 
2024.
  Mary Beth Leonard, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Federal 
Republic of Nigeria.
  Matthew Keenan, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors 
of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020.
  Robert L. Sumwalt III, of South Carolina, to be Chairman of the 
National Transportation Safety Board for a term of three years.
  Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of 
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 
2023.
  1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral.       
Pages S5295-98, S5300
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  David Carey Woll, Jr., of Connecticut, to be an Assistant Secretary 
of Housing and Urban Development.
  Natalie E. Brown, of Nebraska, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Uganda.
  Robert S. Gilchrist, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Lithuania.
  Steven Christopher Koutsis, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the 
Republic of Chad.
  Alina L. Romanowski, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to the State of 
Kuwait.
  Jovita Carranza, of Illinois, to be Administrator of the Small 
Business Administration.                                     
Page S5321
Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the 
following nomination:
  A routine list in the Foreign Service.                     
Page S5322
Messages from the House:                                     
  Page S5310
Executive Communications:                                    
  Page S5310
Petitions and Memorials:                                     
  Page S5310
Executive Reports of Committees:                             
  Page S5310
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S5312-15
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:                  
  Page S5315
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S5307-10
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S5317-18
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S5318
Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--262) 
                                                         Pages S5288-89
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 3:15 p.m., 
until 1 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2019. (For Senate's program, see the 
remarks

[[Page D949]]

of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S5321.)