[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 159 (Tuesday, September 15, 2020)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D794-D795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                        Tuesday, September 15, 2020

[[Page D794]]

                              Daily Digest

                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S5577-S5616
Measures Introduced: Fifteen bills and six resolutions were introduced, 
as follows: S. 4569-4583, S. Res. 692-696, and S. Con. Res. 44. 
                                                         Pages S5609-10
Measures Reported:
  S. 2502, to ban the Federal procurement of certain drones and other 
unmanned aircraft systems, with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute. (S. Rept. No. 116-268)
  S. 332, to amend title 38, United States Code, to remove the 
manifestation period required for the presumptions of service 
connection for chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and acute and 
subacute peripheral neuropathy associated with exposure to certain 
herbicide agents, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 514, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the 
benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
women veterans, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 629, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to review the 
processes and requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
scheduling appointments for health care and conducting consultations 
under the laws administered by the Secretary, with an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute.
  S. 711, to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility 
for mental health services from the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
include members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.
  S. 805, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the 
processing of veterans benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
to limit the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recover 
overpayments made by the Department and other amounts owed by veterans 
to the United States, to improve the due process accorded veterans with 
respect to such recovery, with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  S. 2216, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to formally 
recognize caregivers of veterans, notify veterans and caregivers of 
clinical determinations relating to eligibility for caregiver programs, 
and temporarily extend benefits for veterans who are determined 
ineligible for the family caregiver program, with an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute.
  S. 2558, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain grants to assist nursing 
homes for veterans located on tribal lands.
  S. 2950, to amend title 38, United States Code, to concede exposure 
to airborne hazards and toxins from burn pits under certain 
circumstances, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 3235, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a 
pilot program on posttraumatic growth, with an amendment in the nature 
of a substitute.
  S. 3282, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the 
oversight of contracts awarded by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.
  S. 3643, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize certain 
postgraduate health care employees and health professions trainees of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide treatment via 
telemedicine.
  S. 4384, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to address 
exposure by members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances at Karshi-
Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan.                               
Page S5608
Measures Passed:
  Printing authorization: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 92, authorizing 
the printing of a revised and updated version of the House document 
entitled ``Women in Congress, 1917-2006''.                   
  Page S5616
  National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day: Senate agreed to S. 
Res. 696, designating September 4, 2020, as ``National Polycystic 
Kidney Disease Awareness Day'', and raising awareness and understanding 
of polycystic kidney disease.                                
  Page S5616
  Robinson Nomination--Agreement: Senate resumed consideration of the 
nomination of Todd Wallace Robinson, to be United States District Judge 
for the Southern District of California.              
Pages S5589-S5602
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:

[[Page D795]]


  By 83 yeas to 13 nays (Vote No. EX. 174), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.                   
Page S5589
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that 
notwithstanding the provisions of Rule XXII, the post-cloture time with 
respect to the nomination of Todd Wallace Robinson expire at 11:30 a.m. 
on Wednesday, September 16, 2020; that following disposition of the 
nomination, Senate vote on the motions to invoke cloture on the 
nominations of David W. Dugan, to be United States District Judge for 
the Southern District of Illinois, and Stephen P. McGlynn, to be United 
States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois, in that 
order; and that if cloture is invoked on the nominations, the post-
cloture time expire at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, and 
Senate vote on confirmation of the nominations in that order. 
                                                             Page S5597
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further 
consideration of the nomination of Todd Wallace Robinson, post-cloture, 
at approximately 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.   
Page S5616
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
  By 83 yeas to 12 nays (Vote No. EX. 170), Mark C. Scarsi, of 
California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District 
of California.                                    
Pages S5578-80, S5616
  By 92 yeas to 4 nays (Vote No. EX. 172), Stanley Blumenfeld, of 
California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District 
of California.                          
Pages S5580-88, S5588-89, S5616
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 89 yeas to 6 nays (Vote No. EX. 171), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.                   
Page S5580
  By 83 yeas to 12 nays (Vote No. EX. 175), John W. Holcomb, of 
California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District 
of California.                                
Pages S5589, S5597, S5616
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 83 yeas to 13 nays (Vote No. EX. 173), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.                   
Page S5589
Messages from the House:                                     
  Page S5604
Measures Referred:                                       
  Pages S5604-05
Measures Placed on the Calendar:                             
  Page S5605
Measures Read the First Time:                        
  Pages S5605, S5616
Executive Communications:                                
  Pages S5605-08
Executive Reports of Committees:                         
  Pages S5608-09
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S5610-11
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S5603-04
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S5616
Record Votes: Six record votes were taken today. (Total--175) 
                                           Pages S5580, S5588-89, S5597
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:57 p.m., 
until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. (For Senate's program, 
see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S5616.)