[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 156 (Thursday, September 26, 2019)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1078-D1081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                       Thursday, September 26, 2019

[[Page D1078]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed H.R. 4378, Continuing Appropriations Act and Health 
      Extenders Act.
      Senate confirmed the nomination of General John E. Hyten for 
      appointment as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
      Senate confirmed the nomination of Eugene Scalia, of Virginia, to 
      be Secretary of Labor.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S5713-S5763
Measures Introduced: Forty-five bills and seventeen resolutions were 
introduced, as follows: S. 2550-2594, S.J. Res. 56, S. Res. 343-357, 
and S. Con. Res. 26.                                     
  Pages S5747-49
Measures Reported:
  Special Report entitled ``Further Revised Allocation to Subcommittees 
of Budget Totals for Fiscal Year 2020''. (S. Rept. No. 116-122)
  S. 2580, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, 
environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2020. (S. Rept. No. 116-123)
  S. 2581, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2020. (S. Rept. No. 116-124)
  S. 2582, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland 
Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020. (S. Rept. No. 
116-125)
  S. 2583, making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign 
operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2020. (S. Rept. No. 116-126)
  S. 2584, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and 
Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 2020. (S. Rept. No. 116-127)
  S. 384, to require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to help 
facilitate the adoption of composite technology in infrastructure in 
the United States, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. 
Rept. No. 116-128)
  S. Res. 183, reaffirming the vital role of the United States-Japan 
alliance in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-
Pacific region and beyond, and with an amended preamble.
  S. Res. 236, reaffirming the strong partnership between Tunisia and 
the United States and supporting the people of Tunisia in their 
continued pursuit of democratic reforms.
  S. Res. 277, remembering the 25th Anniversary of the bombing of the 
Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish Community Center 
in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and recommitting to efforts to uphold 
justice for the 85 victims of the attacks.
  S. Res. 318, to support the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis 
and Malaria, and the Sixth Replenishment, with amendments.
  S. 1590, to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 
to authorize rewards for thwarting wildlife trafficking linked to 
transnational organized crime.
  S. 1678, to express United States support for Taiwan's diplomatic 
alliances around the world, with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  S. 1838, to amend the Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, with an amendment 
in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 2297, to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard, with 
amendments.
  S. 2372, to enhance global engagement to combat marine debris, with 
an amendment in the nature of a substitute.              
Pages S5746-47
Measures Passed:
  Continuing Appropriations Act and Health Extenders Act: By 81 yeas to 
16 nays (Vote No. 311)

[[Page D1079]]

Senate passed H.R. 4378, making continuing appropriations for fiscal 
year 2020, by the order of the Senate of Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 
60 Senators having voted in the affirmative, after taking action on the 
following amendment proposed thereto:                    
  Pages S5713-23


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On pages D1078-D1079, September 26, 2019, the following language 
appears: Continuing Appropriations Act and Health Extenders Act: 
By 81 yeas to 16 nays (Vote No. 311) Senate passed H.R. 4378, 
making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2020, after 
taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages 
S5713-23
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: Continuing 
Appropriations Act and Health Extenders Act: By 81 yeas to 16 nays 
(Vote No. 311) Senate passed H.R. 4378, making continuing 
appropriations for fiscal year 2020, by the order of the Senate of 
Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 60 Senators having voted in the 
affirmative, after taking action on the following amendment 
proposed thereto: Pages S5713-23


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


Rejected:
  By 24 yeas to 73 nays (Vote No. 310), Paul Amendment No. 942, to 
reduce the amount appropriated by 2 percent. (Pursuant to the order of 
Wednesday, September 25, 2019, the amendment having failed to achieve 
60 affirmative votes, was not agreed to.)                
Pages S5722-23
     National Democracy Month: Committee on the Judiciary was 
     discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 252, 
     designating September 2019 as National Democracy Month as a 
     time to reflect on the contributions of the system of 
     government of the United States to a more free and stable 
     world, and the resolution was then agreed to. 
                                                    Pages S5759-60
     National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
     346, designating October 8, 2019, as ``National Hydrogen and 
     Fuel Cell Day''.                        
       Pages S5753-54, S5760
     Energy Efficiency Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 347, 
     designating October 2, 2019, as ``Energy Efficiency Day'' in 
     celebration of the economic and environmental benefits that 
     have been driven by private sector innovation and Federal 
     energy efficiency policies.                
       Pages S5754, S5760
     National Clean Energy Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 348, 
     proclaiming the week of September 23 through September 27, 
     2019, as ``National Clean Energy Week''.   
       Pages S5754, S5760
     National Concussion Awareness Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
     349, supporting the designation of September 20, 2019, as 
     ``National Concussion Awareness Day''. 
                                             Pages S5754-55, S5760
     National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Senate agreed to 
     S. Res. 350, designating September 2019 as ``National 
     Childhood Cancer Awareness Month''.        
       Pages S5755, S5760
     National Community Policing Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
     351, designating the week of September 29 through October 5, 
     2019, as ``National Community Policing Week''. 
                                                Pages S5755, S5760
     Hispanic Heritage Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 352, 
     recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the 
     heritage and culture of Latinos in the United States and the 
     immense contributions of Latinos to the United States. 
                                             Pages S5755-56, S5760
     National Voter Registration Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
     353, recognizing September 24, 2019, as ``National Voter 
     Registration Day''.                        
       Pages S5756, S5760
     National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S. 
     Res. 354, designating September 2019 as ``National Brain 
     Aneurysm Awareness Month''.                
       Pages S5756, S5760
     National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week: Senate 
     agreed to S. Res. 355, designating the week of September 22 
     through 28, 2019, as ``National Adult Education and Family 
     Literacy Week''.                        
       Pages S5756-57, S5760
     Building Blocks of STEM Act: Senate passed S. 737, to direct 
     the National Science Foundation to support STEM education 
     research focused on early childhood, after agreeing to the 
     following amendment proposed thereto:          
       Pages S5760-61
  McConnell (for Rosen/Capito) Amendment No. 944, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                              
Pages S5760-61
     Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement 
     was reached providing that the Majority Leader be authorized 
     to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions on Thursday, 
     September 26, 2019, and Friday, September 27, 2019.
     ng Leadership To Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous-
     conorizisent 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 Democratic 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.                                                 30Pro 
     Forma Sessions--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
     rFormaeached 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, September 27, 2019, at 
     11:40 a.m.; Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at 12 noon; Friday, 
     October 4, 2019, at 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, October 8, 2019, at 
     12 noon; Friday, October 11, 2019, at 2:15 p.m.; and that 
     when the Senate adjourns on Friday, October 11, 2019, it next 
     convene at 3 p.m., on Tuesday, October 15, 2019.        30Barrett 
     Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the 
     nominatett Nion of Barbara McConnell Barrett, of Arizona, to 
     be Secretary of the Air Force, Department of Defense.   90[D26SE9-
     22]{D1079}A motion w
  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, September 26, 2019, a vote

[[Page D1080]]

on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. 
                                                             Page S5726
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5726
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5726
   A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate 
resume consideration of the nomination at approximately 3 p.m., on 
Tuesday, October 15, 2019; and that notwithstanding the provisions of 
Rule XXII, the cloture motions filed during the session of Thursday, 
September 26, 2019 ripen at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. 
                                                             Page S5761
     Volk Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the 
     nomination of Frank William Volk, to be United States 
     District Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia. 
                                                             Page S5726
  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 Barbara McConnell Barrett, of Arizona, to be Secretary of 
the Air Force, Department of Defense.                        
Page S5726
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5726
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5726
     Eskridge Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of 
     the nomination of Charles R. Eskridge III, to be United 
     States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. 
                                                             Page S5726
  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 Frank William Volk, to be United States District Judge 
for the Southern District of West Virginia.                  
Page S5726
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5726
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5726
     Novak Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the 
     nomination of David John Novak, to be United States District 
     Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.             90[D26SE9-
     35]{D1080}A motion w
  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 Charles R. Eskridge III, to be United States District 
Judge for the Southern District of Texas.                    
Page S5726
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5726
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5726
     Kovner Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the 
     nomination of Rachel P. Kovner, to be United States District 
     Judge for the Eastern District of New York.             90[D26SE9-
     39]{D1080}A motion w
  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 David John Novak, to be United States District Judge for 
the Eastern District of Virginia.                            
Page S5727
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5726
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5727
     Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following 
     nominations:
  By 75 yeas to 22 nays (Vote No. EX. 312), Gen. John E. Hyten for 
appointment as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and for 
appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated while 
assigned to a position of importance and responsibility in accordance 
with title 10, U.S.C., sections 154 and 601: to be General. 
                                                         Pages S5723-25
  By 53 yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. EX. 313), Eugene Scalia, of Virginia, 
to be Secretary of Labor.                                
Pages S5725-26
  Lana J. Marks, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of South 
Africa.
  Michael D. Baughman, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Marshal for 
the Western District of Pennsylvania for the term of four years.
  John Leslie Carwile, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Latvia.
  Erin Elizabeth McKee, of California, to be Ambassador to the 
Independent State of Papua New Guinea, and to serve concurrently and 
without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Solomon Islands 
and Ambassador to the Republic of Vanuatu.

[[Page D1081]]


  Fernando L. G. Sablan, of Guam, to be United States Marshal for the 
District of Guam and concurrently United States Marshal for the 
District of the Northern Mariana Islands for the term of four years.
  Anthony F. Godfrey, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Serbia.
  Herro Mustafa, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Bulgaria.
  W. Stephen Muldrow, of Puerto Rico, to be United States Attorney for 
the District of Puerto Rico for the term of four years.
  Kerry Lee Pettingill, of Oklahoma, to be United States Marshal for 
the Eastern District of Oklahoma for the term of four years.
  Adam Seth Boehler, of Louisiana, to be Chief Executive Officer of the 
United States International Development Finance Corporation.
  Ryan McCarthy, of Illinois, to be Secretary of the Army.
  6 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
  7 Army nominations in the rank of general.
  4 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral.
  Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, 
Navy.                                                    
Pages S5761-63
     Messages from the House:                                30Measures 
     Referred:                                               30Measures 
     Read the First Time:                            30Additional 
     Cosponsors:                                         30Statements 
     on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
     l Statements:                                       30Amendments 
     Submitted:                                          30Authorities 
     for Committees to Meet:                                 30Record 
     Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--313) 
                                  Record VoPages S5723, S5725, S5725-26
     Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 4:49 
     p.m., until 11:40 a.m. on Friday, September 27, 2019. (For 
     Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in 
     today's Record on page 5761.)