[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 206 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1406-D1411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                        Thursday, December 19, 2019

[[Page D1406]]

                              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. 1865, Further 
      Consolidated Appropriations Act.
      Senate agreed to the motion to concur in the amendment of the 
      House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 1158, Consolidated 
      Appropriations Act.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S7167-S7240
Measures Introduced: Forty-three bills and five resolutions were 
introduced, as follows: S. 3106-3148, and S. Res. 458-462. 
                                                         Pages S7207-08
Measures Reported:
  Special Report entitled ``Further Revised Allocation to Subcommittees 
of Budget Totals for Fiscal Year 2020''. (S. Rept. No. 116-181)
  Special Report entitled ``Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband 
Act of 2019''. (S. Rept. No. 116-186)
  Special Report entitled ``Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe 
Travel Act''. (S. Rept. No. 116-187)
  Special Report entitled ``TSA Credential and Endorsement 
Harmonization Act of 2019''. (S. Rept. No. 116-188)
  S. 496, to preserve United States fishing heritage through a national 
program dedicated to training and assisting the next generation of 
commercial fishermen. (S. Rept. No. 116-83)
  S. 149, to establish a Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Council, with 
an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 116-182)
  S. 893, to require the President to develop a strategy to ensure the 
security of next generation mobile telecommunications systems and 
infrastructure in the United States and to assist allies and strategic 
partners in maximizing the security of next generation mobile 
telecommunications systems, infrastructure, and software, with an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 116-184)
  S. 2166, to designate Regional Ocean Partnerships of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with an amendment in the nature 
of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 116-185)
  S. 886, to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to 
make the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund permanent, with an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 116-189) 
                                                             Page S7207
Measures Passed:
  Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act: 
Senate passed S. 1822, to require the Federal Communications Commission 
to issue rules relating to the collection of data with respect to the 
availability of broadband services, after withdrawing the committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute, and agreeing to the following 
amendment proposed thereto:                              
  Pages S7178-85
  Wicker Amendment No. 1268, in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                             Page S7180
  Enrollment Correction: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 81, directing 
the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the 
enrollment of H.R. 1158.                                     
  Page S7193
  Enrollment Correction: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 82, directing 
the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the 
enrollment of H.R. 1865.                                     
  Page S7193
  Securing American Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism Act: 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged 
from further consideration of H.R. 2476, to amend the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002 to provide funding to secure nonprofit facilities from 
terrorist attacks, and the bill was then passed.             
  Page S7226

[[Page D1407]]

  Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act: Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1424, to 
amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs permits the display of Fallen Soldier Displays in national 
cemeteries, and the bill was then passed.                    
  Page S7226
  Construction Consensus Procurement Improvement Act: Senate passed S. 
1434, to prohibit the use of reverse auctions for design and 
construction services procurements, after agreeing to the following 
amendment proposed thereto:                                  
  Page S7229
  McConnell (for Portman) Amendment No. 1269, to modify the definition 
of reverse auction to cover the awarding of contracts and orders that 
are based solely on the price obtained through the auction process. 
                                                             Page S7229
  Members of Congress Pension Opt Out Clarification Act: Senate passed 
S. 439, to allow Members of Congress to opt out of the Federal 
Employees Retirement System, and allow Members who opt out of the 
Federal Employees Retirement System to continue to participate in the 
Thrift Savings Plan, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed 
thereto:                                                     
  Page S7229
  McConnell (for Cardin) Amendment No. 1270, to improve the bill.


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

  
  On page D1407, December 19, 2019, the following language 
appears: End Plush Retirements Act: Senate passed S. 439, to allow 
Members of Congress to opt out of the Federal Employees Retirement 
System, and allow Members who opt out of the Federal Employees 
Retirement System to continue to participate in the Thrift Savings 
Plan, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
Page S7229 McConnell (for Cardin) Amendment No. 1270, to improve 
the bill. Page S7229
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: Members of 
Congress Pension Opt Out Clarification Act: Senate passed S. 439, 
to allow Members of Congress to opt out of the Federal Employees 
Retirement System, and allow Members who opt out of the Federal 
Employees Retirement System to continue to participate in the 
Thrift Savings Plan, after agreeing to the following amendment 
proposed thereto: Page S7229 McConnell (for Cardin) Amendment No. 
1270, to improve the bill. Page S7229


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


                                                                 Page S7229

     Department of Veterans Affairs Provider Accountability Act: 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further 
     consideration of S. 221, to amend title 38, United States 
     Code, to require the Under Secretary of Health to report 
     major adverse personnel actions involving certain health care 
     employees to the National Practitioner Data Bank and to 
     applicable State licensing boards, and the bill was then 
     passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed 
     thereto:                                       
       Pages S7229-30
  McConnell (for Gardner/Manchin) Amendment No. 1271, in the nature of 
aS7229 substitute.                                           
Page S7230
     Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act: Senate passed 
     S. 3147, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
     submit to Congress reports on patient safety and quality of 
     care at medical centers of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs.                                       
       Pages S7230-31
     Veterans Legacy Program: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was 
     discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2385, to permit 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a grant 
     program to conduct cemetery research and produce educational 
     materials for the Veterans Legacy Program, and the bill was 
     then passed.                                       
       Page S7231
     National Cemetery Association Tribal Training: Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration 
     of S. 2096, to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
     authorize States and tribal organizations that receive grants 
     from the National Cemetery Administration for establishment, 
     expansion, or improvement of a veterans' cemeteries to use 
     amounts of such grants for State and tribal organization 
     cemetery personnel to train at the training center of the 
     National Cemetery Administration, and the bill was then 
     passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed 
     thereto:                                       
       Pages S7231-32
  McConnell (for Boozman) Amendment No. 1272, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                  
Page S7232
     Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal 
     Act: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs was 
     discharged from further consideration of H.R. 550, to award a 
     Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the United States 
     Merchant Mariners of World War II, in recognition of their 
     dedicated and vital service during World War II, and the bill 
     was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment 
     proposed thereto:                              
       Pages S7232-33
  McConnell (for Murkowski/Cruz) Amendment No. 1273, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                  
Page S7232
     Dogs as Witness Guardians Act: Committee on the Judiciary was 
     discharged from further consideration of S. 1029, to allow 
     the use of certified facility dogs in criminal proceedings in 
     Federal courts, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing 
     to the following amendment proposed thereto:   
       Pages S7233-34
  McConnell (for Cornyn) Amendment No. 1274, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                  
Page S7233
     Majority Party's Membership on Certain Committees: Senate 
     agreed to S. Res. 459, to constitute the majority party's 
     membership on certain committees for the One Hundred 
     Sixteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen. 
                                                        Page S7213
  American Geophysical Union Centennial: Senate agreed to S. Res. 460, 
congratulating the American Geophysical Union on the occasion of its 
centennial.                                              
  Pages S7213-14
  Congratulating Seattle Sounders FC: Senate agreed to S. Res. 461, 
congratulating Seattle Sounders FC on winning the 2019 Major League 
Soccer Cup.                                                  
  Page S7214
  Combating Global Corruption Act: Senate passed S. 1309, to identify 
and combat corruption in countries, to establish a tiered system of 
countries with respect to levels of corruption by their governments and 
their efforts to combat such corruption, and to assess United States 
assistance to designated countries in order to advance anti-corruption 
efforts in those countries and better serve United States taxpayers, 
after withdrawing the committee amendment

[[Page D1408]]

in the nature of a substitute, and agreeing to the following amendment 
proposed thereto:                                        
  Pages S7234-36
  McConnell (for Cardin) Amendment No. 1275, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                  
Page S7236
  National One Health Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 462, 
designating January 2020 as ``National One Health Awareness Month'' to 
promote awareness of organizations focused on public health, animal 
health, and environmental health collaboration throughout the United 
States and to recognize the critical contributions of those 
organizations to the future of the United States.    
  Pages S7215, S7236
  Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act: Senate passed S. 1608, 
to provide for the publication by the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services of physical activity recommendations for Americans, after 
agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                         Pages S7239-40
House Messages:
  Pallone-Thune TRACED Act: Senate agreed to the motion to concur in 
the amendment of the House to S. 151, to deter criminal robocall 
violations and improve enforcement of section 227(b) of the 
Communications Act of 1934.                              
  Pages S7176-78
  Further Consolidated Appropriations Act: By 71 yeas to 23 nays (Vote 
No. 415), Senate agreed to McConnell motion to concur in the amendment 
of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 1865, to require 
the Secretary of the Treasury to mint a coin in commemoration of the 
opening of the National Law Enforcement Museum in the District of 
Columbia, after taking action on the following motions and amendments 
proposed thereto:                                        
  Pages S7185-86
Withdrawn:
  McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the 
amendment of the Senate to the bill, with McConnell Amendment No. 1258 
(to the House amendment to the Senate amendment), to change the 
enactment date.                                          
Pages S7167-70
  McConnell Amendment No. 1259 (to Amendment No. 1258), of a perfecting 
nature, fell when McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the 
House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill, with McConnell 
Amendment No. 1258 (to the House amendment to the Senate amendment) 
(listed above) was withdrawn.                            
Pages S7167-70
  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 71 yeas to 21 nays (Vote No. 413), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed 
to the motion to close further debate on McConnell motion to concur in 
the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill. 
                                                         Pages S7170-76
  McConnell motion to refer the message of the House on the bill to the 
Committee on Appropriations, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 
1260, to change the enactment date, fell when cloture was invoked on 
McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the 
amendment of the Senate to the bill.                     
Pages S7167-70
  McConnell Amendment No. 1261 (the instructions (Amendment No. 1260) 
of the motion to refer), of a perfecting nature, fell when McConnell 
motion to refer the message of the House on the bill to the Committee 
on Appropriations, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 1260 
(listed above) fell.                                     
Pages S7167-70
  McConnell Amendment No. 1262 (to Amendment No. 1261), of a perfecting 
nature, fell when McConnell Amendment No. 1261 (the instructions 
(Amendment No. 1260) of the motion to refer) (listed above) fell. 
                                                         Pages S7167-70
  By 64 yeas to 30 nays (Vote No. 414), 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 resolutions with respect to 
the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 1865 
(listed above). Subsequently, the point of order that the bill was in 
violation of section 3101(b) of S. Con. Res. 11, setting forth the 
congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 
2016 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal 
years 2017 through 2025, was not sustained, and thus the point of order 
fell.                                                    
Pages S7185-86
  Consolidated Appropriations Act: By 81 yeas to 11 nays (Vote No. 
428), Senate agreed to McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of 
the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 1158, to authorize 
cyber incident response teams at the Department of Homeland Security, 
after taking action on the following motions and amendments proposed 
thereto:                                                 
  Pages S7192-93
Withdrawn:
  McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the 
amendment of the Senate to the bill, with McConnell Amendment No. 1263 
(to the House amendment to the Senate amendment), to change the 
enactment date.                                              
Page S7192
  McConnell Amendment No. 1264 (to Amendment No. 1263), of a perfecting 
nature, fell when McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the 
House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill, with McConnell 
Amendment No. 1263 (to the House amendment to the Senate amendment) 
(listed above) was withdrawn.                                
Page S7192

[[Page D1409]]


  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 77 yeas to 16 nays (Vote No. 427), three-fifths of those Senators 
duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed 
to the motion to close further debate on McConnell motion to concur in 
the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill. 
                                                         Pages S7192-93
  McConnell motion to refer the message of the House on the bill to the 
Committee on Appropriations, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 
1265, to change the enactment date, fell when cloture was invoked on 
McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the 
amendment of the Senate to the bill.                         
Page S7192
  McConnell Amendment No. 1266 (the instructions (Amendment No. 1265) 
of the motion to refer), of a perfecting nature, fell when McConnell 
motion to refer the message of the House on the bill to the Committee 
on Appropriations, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 1265 
(listed above) fell.                                         
Page S7192
  McConnell Amendment No. 1267 (to Amendment No. 1266), of a perfecting 
nature, fell when McConnell Amendment No. 1266 (the instructions 
(Amendment No. 1265) of the motion to refer) (listed above) fell. 
                                                             Page S7192
Appointments:
  United States-China Economic and 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 appointment of the 
following individuals to serve as a member of the United States-China 
Economic and Security Review Commission: Roy Kamphausen of Connecticut 
for a term expiring December 31, 2021 (reappointment) and The Honorable 
James M. Talent of Missouri for a term expiring December 31, 2021 
(reappointment).                                             
  Page S7237
  United States-China Economic and 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 Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on 
Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Finance, the appointment of 
the following individual to serve as a member of the United States-
China Economic and Security Review Commission: The Honorable Carte P. 
Goodwin of West Virginia for a term beginning January 1, 2020 and 
expiring December 31, 2021 (reappointment).                  
  Page S7237
Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that Senator Portman be authorized to sign duly enrolled 
bills or joint resolutions during today's session of the Senate. 
                                                             Page S7225
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senator 
McConnell be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint 
resolutions through Monday, December 23, 2019.               
Page S7237
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senator 
Hoeven be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions 
during today's session of the Senate.                        
Page S7240
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: Monday, December 23, 2019, at 
10 a.m.; Thursday, December 26, 2019, at 3:15 p.m.; Monday, December 
30, 2019, at 2 p.m.; Thursday, January 2, 2020, at 6:30 p.m.; and that 
when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, January 2, 2020, it next convene 
at 12 noon, on Friday, January 3, 2020, pursuant to the Constitution. 
                                                             Page S7237
Nominations in Status Quo--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that the list of nominations at the desk be kept in 
status quo despite the sine die adjournment of the first session of the 
116th Congress.                                              
  Page S7238
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
  By 76 yeas to 17 nays (Vote No. EX. 416), Anuraag Singhal, of 
Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District 
of Florida.                                              
Pages S7186-88
  By 87 yeas to 6 nays (Vote No. EX. 417), Karen Spencer Marston, of 
Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern 
District of Pennsylvania.                                
Pages S7188-89
  By 51 yeas to 41 nays (Vote No. EX. 418), Daniel Mack Traynor, of 
North Dakota, to be United States District Judge for the District of 
North Dakota.                                                
Page S7189
  By 75 yeas to 17 nays (Vote No. EX. 419), Jodi W. Dishman, of 
Oklahoma, to be United States District Judge for the Western District 
of Oklahoma.                                                 
Page S7189
  By 83 yeas to 9 nays (Vote No. EX. 420), John M. Gallagher, of 
Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern 
District of Pennsylvania.                                
Pages S7189-90
  By 91 yeas to 3 nays (Vote No. EX. 421), Bernard Maurice Jones II, of 
Oklahoma, to be United

[[Page D1410]]

States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. 
                                                             Page S7190
  By 91 yeas to 3 nays (Vote No. EX. 422), Mary Kay Vyskocil, of New 
York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of 
New York.                                                    
Page S7190
  By a unanimous vote of 94 yeas (Vote No. EX. 423), Kea Whetzal Riggs, 
of New Mexico, to be United States District Judge for the District of 
New Mexico.                                              
Pages S7190-91
  By 66 yeas to 27 nays (Vote No. EX. 424), Robert J. Colville, of 
Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Western 
District of Pennsylvania.                                    
Page S7191
  By 64 yeas to 29 nays (Vote No. EX. 425), Lewis J. Liman, of New 
York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of 
New York.                                                    
Page S7191
  Gary Richard Brown, of New York, to be United States District Judge 
for the Eastern District of New York.                        
Page S7191
  Stephanie Dawkins Davis, of Michigan, to be United States District 
Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.              
Pages S7191-92
  By 90 yeas to 3 nays (Vote No. EX. 426), Stephen E. Biegun, of 
Michigan, to be Deputy Secretary of State.                   
Page S7192
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the motion 
to invoke cloture on the nomination of Stephen E. Biegun, of Michigan, 
to be Deputy Secretary of State, be withdrawn.               
Page S7191
  Michael Graham, of Kansas, to be a Member of the National 
Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2020.
  David T. Fischer, of Michigan, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of 
Morocco.
  Michelle A. Bekkering, of the District of Columbia, to be an 
Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development.
  Morse H. Tan, of Illinois, to be Ambassador at Large for Global 
Criminal Justice.
  Roxanne Cabral, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands.
  LaJuana S. Wilcher, of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation.
  Kelley Eckels Currie, of Georgia, to be Ambassador at Large for 
Global Women's Issues.
  Michael Graham, of Kansas, to be a Member of the National 
Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2025.
  Leslie Meredith Tsou, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Sultanate 
of Oman.
  Dana S. Deasy, of Virginia, to be Chief Information Officer of the 
Department of Defense.
  Yuri Kim, of Guam, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Albania.
  Carmen G. Cantor, of Puerto Rico, to be Ambassador to the Federated 
States of Micronesia.
  Lisa W. Hershman, of Indiana, to be Chief Management Officer of the 
Department of Defense.
  Robert S. Gilchrist, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Lithuania.
  Alina L. Romanowski, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to the State of 
Kuwait.
  Robert John Sander, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the 
Department of the Navy.
  Kelly C. Degnan, of California, to be Ambassador to Georgia.
  Peter M. Haymond, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Lao People's 
Democratic Republic.
  Sean O'Donnell, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Environmental 
Protection Agency.
  Thomas B. Chapman, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National 
Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2023.
  J. Brett Blanton, of Virginia, to be Architect of the Capitol for the 
term of ten years.
  Routine lists in the Foreign Service.                      
Page S7240
Messages from the House:                                     
  Page S7206
Measures Placed on the Calendar:                         
  Pages S7170-76
Measures Read the First Time:                                
  Page S7206
Enrolled Bills Presented:                                    
  Page S7206
Executive Communications:                                
  Pages S7206-07
Petitions and Memorials:                                     
  Page S7207
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S7208-11
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S7211-12
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S7204-06
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S7215-21
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S7221
Privileges of the Floor:                                     
  Page S7222
Record Votes: Sixteen record votes were taken today. (Total--428) 
                                    Pages S7176, S7186, S7188, S7189-93
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 8:37 p.m., 
until 10 a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2019. (For Senate's program, see 
the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S7240.)

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