[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 110 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D696-D699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                            Thursday, June 24, 2021

[[Page D696]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed S. 1251, Growing Climate Solutions Act.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S4735-S4799
Measures Introduced: One hundred four bills and fourteen resolutions 
were introduced, as follows: S. 2203-2306, S. Res. 284-296, and S. Con. 
Res. 10.                                                 
  Pages S4772-76
Measures Reported:
  S. Res. 67, calling for the immediate release of Trevor Reed, a 
United States citizen who was unjustly found guilty and sentenced to 9 
years in a Russian prison.
  S. Res. 107, expressing the sense of the Senate relating to the 10th 
anniversary of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
  S. Res. 165, calling on the Government of the Russian Federation to 
provide evidence or to release United States citizen Paul Whelan, and 
with an amended preamble.
  S. Res. 176, urging all parties in Georgia to seek prompt 
implementation of the agreement signed on April 19, 2021, and 
reaffirming the support of the Senate for Georgia, the territorial 
integrity of Georgia, and the aspirations of Georgians to join the 
Euro-Atlantic community, with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute and with an amended preamble.
  S. 14, 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 
evaluate foreign persons engaged in grand corruption for inclusion as 
specially designated nationals under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights 
Accountability Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 65, to ensure that goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang 
Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China do not enter 
the United States market, with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  S. 89, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to secure medical 
opinions for veterans with service-connected disabilities who die from 
COVID-19 to determine whether their service-connected disabilities were 
the principal or contributory causes of death, with an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute.
  S. 93, to amend the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act 
to modify the foreign persons subject to sanctions and to remove the 
sunset for the imposition of sanctions, with an amendment in the nature 
of a substitute.
  S. 189, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for annual 
cost-of-living adjustments to be made automatically by law each year in 
the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-
connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity 
compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled 
veterans, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 894, to identify and refer members of the Armed Forces with a 
health care occupation who are separating from the Armed Forces for 
potential employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs, with an 
amendment.
  S. 1041, to advance the strategic alignment of United States 
diplomatic tools toward the realization of free, fair, and transparent 
elections in Nicaragua and to reaffirm the commitment of the United 
States to protect the fundamental freedoms and human rights of the 
people of Nicaragua, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 1061, to encourage the normalization of relations with Israel, 
with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 2000, to promote the United States-Greece defense partnership, 
with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

[[Page D697]]

Measures Passed:
  Growing Climate Solutions Act: By 92 yeas to 8 nays (Vote No. 251), 
Senate passed S. 1251, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to 
develop a program to reduce barriers to entry for farmers, ranchers, 
and private forest landowners in certain voluntary markets, after 
taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                         Pages S4736-43
  Rejected:
  By 11 yeas to 89 nays (Vote No. 250), Lee Amendment No. 2119, in the 
nature of a substitute.                                  
Pages S4736-39
  Supporting the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and 
the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration Act: 
Senate passed S. 1662, to increase funding for the Reagan-Udall 
Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration and for the Foundation 
for the National Institutes of Health.                       
  Page S4793
  Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act: Senate passed S. 2255, to 
extend the trade adjustment assistance program for one month. 
                                                             Page S4794
  Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act: Senate passed S. 
272, to amend the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act 
of 2006, to require the budget justifications and appropriation 
requests of agencies be made publicly available, after agreeing to the 
committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.       
  Pages S4794-95
  CASA/GAL Volunteers' Day: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged 
from further consideration of S. Res. 219, designating May 18, 2021, as 
``CASA/GAL Volunteers' Day'', and the resolution was then agreed to. 
                                                             Page S4795
  National Dairy Month: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 268, 
expressing support for the designation of June 2021 as ``National Dairy 
Month'' to recognize the important role dairy plays in a healthy diet 
and the exceptional work of dairy producers in being stewards of the 
land and livestock, and the resolution was then agreed to.   
  Page S4795
  Honoring the Memory of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew: 
Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of 
S. Res. 270, honoring the memory of the fallen heroes of the Granite 
Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew, and the resolution was then agreed 
to, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                             Page S4795
  Durbin (for Kelly) Amendment No. 2120, to amend the preamble. 
                                                             Page S4795
  National Cybersecurity Education Week: Committee on the Judiciary was 
discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 279, designating June 
21, 2021 through June 25, 2021, as ``National Cybersecurity Education 
Week'', and the resolution was then agreed to.           
  Pages S4795-96
  Indian Veterans' Home 125th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
284, recognizing the 125th Anniversary of the Indiana Veterans' Home. 
                                                             Page S4796
  Collector Car Appreciation Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 292, 
designating July 9, 2021, as ``Collector Car Appreciation Day'' and 
recognizing that the collection and restoration of historic and classic 
cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements 
and cultural heritage of the United States.                  
  Page S4796
  International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Senate 
agreed to S. Res. 293, designating June 26, 2021, as the 
``International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking''. 
                                                             Page S4796
  Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act: Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 
1095, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the 
disapproval by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of courses of 
education offered by public institutions of higher learning that do not 
charge veterans the in-State tuition rate for purposes of Survivors' 
and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, and the bill was then 
passed.                                                      
  Page S4796
  Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act: Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2441, to 
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand the Rural Access 
Network for Growth Enhancement Program of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, and to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to 
conduct a study to assess certain mental health care resources of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs available to veterans who live in rural 
areas, and the bill was then passed.                         
  Page S4796
Appointments:
  Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China: 
The Chair, on behalf of the President of the Senate, pursuant to 
Public-Law 106-286, appointed the following Members to serve on the 
Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China: 
Senators Rubio, Lankford, Cotton, and Daines.                
  Page S4789
  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

[[Page D698]]

following dates and times, and that following each pro forma session, 
the Senate adjourn until the next pro forma session: Monday, June 28, 
2021, at 9 a.m.; Thursday, July 1, 2021, at 11 a.m.; Monday, July 5, 
2021 at 2:30 p.m.; and Thursday, July 8, 2021, at 12 noon; and that 
when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, July 8, 2021, it next convene at 
3 p.m., on Monday, July 12, 2021.                            
Page S4796
Zeya Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination 
of Uzra Zeya, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of State (Civilian 
Security, Democracy, and Human Rights).                      
  Page S4748
  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, June 24, 2021, a vote on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m., on 
Monday, July 12, 2021.                                       
Page S4748
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S4748
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S4748
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate 
resume consideration of the nomination at approximately 3 p.m., on 
Monday, July 12, 2021; and that cloture motions filed during today's 
session ripen at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, July 12, 2021.        
Page S4796
Su Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of 
Julie A. Su, of California, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor. 
                                                             Page S4749
  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 Uzra Zeya, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of State 
(Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights).            
Page S4749
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                         Pages S4748-49
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S4749
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
  By 53 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. EX. 252), Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, of 
Illinois, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit. 
                                                         Pages S4743-48
  Dawn Myers O'Connell, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant 
Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human 
Services.
  Christine Abizaid, of Maryland, to be Director of the National 
Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National 
Intelligence.
  Faisal Amin, of Maryland, to be Chief Financial Officer, 
Environmental Protection Agency.
  Shannon Aneal Estenoz, of Florida, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish 
and Wildlife.
  Robin C. Ashton, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Central 
Intelligence Agency.
  Patricia L. Ross, of Ohio, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs (Congressional and Legislative Affairs).
  Maryanne T. Donaghy, of Pennsylvania, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs (Office of Accountability and Whistleblower 
Protection).
  Anne Milgram, of New Jersey, to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement.
  Carlos Alberto Monje, Jr., of Louisiana, to be Under Secretary of 
Transportation for Policy.
  Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, of Connecticut, to be Assistant Secretary 
for Mental Health and Substance Use, Department of Health and Human 
Services.
  134 Army nominations in the rank of general.
  2 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general.
  13 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral.
  Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, 
Navy, and Space Force.                                   
Pages S4789-92
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  Xochitl Torres Small, of New Mexico, to be Under Secretary of 
Agriculture for Rural Development.
  Homer L. Wilkes, of Mississippi, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture 
for Natural Resources and Environment.
  David Uejio, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing 
and Urban Development.
  Max Vekich, of Washington, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for 
a term expiring June 30, 2026.
  M. Camille Calimlim Touton, of Nevada, to be Commissioner of 
Reclamation.
  Christi A. Grimm, of Colorado, to be Inspector General, Department of 
Health and Human Services.
  Ismael N. Ahmed, of Michigan, to be a Member of the National Council 
on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.
  Kinan Azmeh, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council on 
the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.

[[Page D699]]


  Stacey Michelle Brandenburg, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board 
of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term 
expiring December 10, 2025.
  Constance Hess Williams, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the 
National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2026.
  Kamilah Forbes, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council 
on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2026.
  Robert Garcia, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees 
of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring 
December 10, 2023.
  Huascar Medina, of Kansas, to be a Member of the National Council on 
the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2026.
  Christopher Kaui Morgan, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.
  Fiona Whelan Prine, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.
  Jake Shimabukuro, of Hawaii, to be a Member of the National Council 
on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.
  Laura Daniel-Davis, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the 
Interior.
  Cathy Ann Harris, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Merit Systems 
Protection Board for the term of seven years expiring March 1, 2028.
  Cathy Ann Harris, of Maryland, to be Chairman of the Merit Systems 
Protection Board.
  Raymond A. Limon, of Nevada, to be a Member of the Merit Systems 
Protection Board for the term of seven years expiring March 1, 2025.
  Hampton Y. Dellinger, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Attorney 
General.                                                 
Pages S4796-97
Messages from the House:                                 
  Pages S4769-70
Measures Referred:                                           
  Page S4770
Measures Placed on the Calendar:                             
  Page S4770
Executive Communications:                                    
  Page S4770
Petitions and Memorials:                                 
  Pages S4770-71
Executive Reports of Committees:                         
  Pages S4771-72
Notice of a Tie Vote Under S. Res. 27:                       
  Page S4762
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S4776-77
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S4777-88
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S4767-69
Amendments Submitted:                                        
  Page S4788
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                      
  Pages S4788-89
Privileges of the Floor:                                     
  Page S4789
Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--252) 
                                                  Pages S4739-40, S4748
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 5:34 p.m., 
until 9 a.m. on Monday, June 28, 2021. (For Senate's program, see the 
remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page (S4796)