[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 218 (Friday, December 17, 2021)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1398-D1403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                          Friday, December 17, 2021

[[Page D1398]]

                              Daily Digest

                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S9273-S9311
Measures Introduced: Seven bills and two resolutions were introduced, 
as follows: S. 3431-3437, S. Res. 483, and S. Con. Res. 24. 
                                                         Pages S9303-04
Measures Reported:
  S. 516, to plan for and coordinate efforts to integrate advanced air 
mobility aircraft into the national airspace system, with an amendment 
in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 117-53)
  S. 46, to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 and to 
establish the United States Coral Reef Task Force, with an amendment in 
the nature of a substitute.
  S. 66, to require the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms 
and Hypoxia to develop a plan for reducing, mitigating, and controlling 
harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in South Florida.
  S. 82, to require a joint task force on air travel during and after 
the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
  S. 116, to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to study 
the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on injuries and deaths associated 
with consumer products, with an amendment.
  S. 140, to improve data collection and monitoring of the Great Lakes, 
oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts, with an amendment in the nature of 
a substitute.
  S. 198, to require the Federal Communications Commission to 
incorporate data on maternal health outcomes into its broadband health 
maps.
  S. 316, to establish a temperature checks pilot program for air 
transportation, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 451, 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.
  S. 497, to establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee to 
assist in the awarding of fisheries research and development grants.
  S. 594, to double the existing penalties for the provision of 
misleading or inaccurate caller identification information.
  S. 1127, to require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to make certain operational models available to the 
public.
  S. 1259, to provide that crib bumpers shall be considered banned 
hazardous products under section 8 of the Consumer Product Safety Act.
  S. 1289, to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to 
reauthorize and modify the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue 
Assistance Grant Program.
  S. 1747, to provide for an equitable management of summer flounder 
based on geographic, scientific, and economic data, with an amendment.
  S. 1790, to ensure that the Federal Communications Commission does 
not approve radio frequency devices that pose a national security risk, 
with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 1880, to direct the Federal Trade Commission to submit to Congress 
a report on unfair or deceptive acts or practices targeted at Indian 
Tribes or members of Indian Tribes, with an amendment in the nature of 
a substitute.
  S. 1890, to require the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study 
on scams that target travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 1894, to designate Regional Ocean Partnerships of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with an amendment in the nature 
of a substitute.
  S. 1995, to amend the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act with 
respect to sport fish restoration and recreational boating safety.
  S. 2016, to authorize elements of the Department of Transportation, 
with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 2068, to require the Minority Business Development Agency of the 
Department of Commerce to promote and administer programs in the public 
and private sectors to assist the development of minority business 
enterprises, to ensure that such Agency has

[[Page D1399]]

the necessary supporting resources, particularly during economic 
downturns, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 2299, to modify the age requirement for the Student Incentive 
Payment Program of the State maritime academies.
  S. 2424, to make available $250,000,000 from the Travel Promotion 
Fund for the Corporation for Travel Promotion, with an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute.
  S. 2699, to establish a cybersecurity literacy campaign, with an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 3309, to require SelectUSA to coordinate with State-level economic 
development organizations to increase foreign direct investment in 
semiconductor-related manufacturing and production, with an amendment 
in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 3375, to promote travel and tourism in the United States, to 
improve the health safety and security of international flights 
entering the United States, with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  S. 3435, to extend the authorizations for certain National Heritage 
Areas.                                                       
Page S9303
Measures Passed:
  Daniel Kahikina Akaka Department of Veterans Affairs Community-Based 
Outpatient Clinic: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from 
further consideration of S. 1760, to designate the community-based 
outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs planned to be 
built in Oahu, Hawaii, as the ``Daniel Kahikina Akaka Department of 
Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic'', and the bill was 
then passed.                                                 
  Page S9306
  Col. Gail S. Halvorsen `Candy Bomber' Veterans Center: Senate passed 
S. 2514, to rename the Provo Veterans Center in Orem, Utah, as the 
``Col. Gail S. Halvorsen `Candy Bomber' Veterans Center''. 
                                                         Pages S9306-07
  PRRADA: Senate passed H.R. 1192, to impose requirements on the 
payment of compensation to professional persons employed in voluntary 
cases commenced under title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight Management 
and Economic Stability Act (commonly known as ``PROMESA''), after 
agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                         Pages S9307-08
  AI Training Act: Senate passed S. 2551, to require the Director of 
the Office of Management and Budget to establish or otherwise provide 
an artificial intelligence training program for the acquisition 
workforce, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                             Page S9308
  Schatz (for Peters/Portman) Amendment No. 4896, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                  
Page S9308
  COVID-19 Bankruptcy Relief Extension Consolidation Act: Senate passed 
S. 3437, to extend certain COVID-19 bankruptcy relief provisions 
through March 27, 2022.                                  
  Pages S9308-09
  National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation commemorative work: Senate 
passed H.R. 1664, to authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum 
Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of 
Columbia and its environs.                                   
  Page S9309
  Commemorating Naval Air Station Pensacola terrorist attack: Senate 
agreed to S. Res. 483, remembering the December 6, 2019, terrorist 
attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola and commemorating those who lost 
their lives, and those who were injured, in the line of duty. 
                                                             Page S9309
  Enrollment Correction: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 24, directing 
the Secretary of the Senate to make corrections in the enrollment of 
the bill S. 1605.                                            
  Page S9309
  National Grain and Feed Association 125th Anniversary: Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry was discharged from further 
consideration of S. Res. 447, celebrating the 125th anniversary of the 
National Grain and Feed Association and recognizing the Association and 
its members for transforming the bounty of United States farmers into 
safe, nutritious, sustainable, and affordable human and animal food, 
and the resolution was then agreed to.                       
  Page S9309
Nord Stream 2--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was 
reached providing that at a time to be determined by the Majority 
Leader, following consultation with the Republican Leader, no later 
than January 14, 2022, Senate begin consideration of S. 3436, to 
require the imposition of sanctions with respect to entities 
responsible for the planning, construction, or operation of the Nord 
Stream 2 pipeline and their corporate officers and to apply 
congressional review under the Countering America's Adversaries Through 
Sanctions Act to the removal of sanctions relating to Nord Stream 2; 
that there be 2 hours of debate, equally divided between the two 
Leaders or their designees, on the bill; that upon the use or yielding 
back of that time, the bill be considered read a third time, and Senate 
vote on passage of the bill, with 60-affirmative votes required for 
passage, with no amendments in order, and without intervening action or 
debate.                                                      
  Page S9296
Pro Forma Sessions--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that the

[[Page D1400]]

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 20, 2021, at 5 p.m.; Thursday, December 
23, 2021, at 11 a.m.; Monday, December 27, 2021, at 4:30 p.m.; 
Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 8:30 a.m., and that when the Senate 
adjourns on Thursday, December 30, 2021, it next convene on Monday, 
January 3, 2022, at 12 noon, pursuant to the Constitution.   
  Page S9310
Thomas Nomination--Agreement: Senate began consideration of the 
nomination of Holly A. Thomas, of California, to be United States 
Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.              
  Pages S9273-74, S9299
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 42 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. EX. 528), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.                   
Page S9299
Sanchez Nomination--Agreement: Senate resumed consideration of the 
nomination of Gabriel P. Sanchez, of California, to be United States 
Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.                     
  Pages S9298-99
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 44 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. EX. 527), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.               
Pages S9298-99
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that all post-
cloture time on the nominations of Gabriel P. Sanchez, of California, 
to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, and Holly A. 
Thomas, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth 
Circuit, be considered expired and Senate vote on confirmation of the 
nomination of Gabriel P. Sanchez, at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, January 3, 
2022, and on confirmation of the nomination of Holly A. Thomas, at a 
time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the 
Republican Leader.                                           
Page S9297
Status Quo--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that all the nominations received by the Senate during the 
117th Congress, First Session, remain in status quo, notwithstanding 
the provisions of Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6, of the Standing Rules of the 
Senate, with certain exceptions.                             
  Page S9310
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
  By 48 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. EX. 507), Atul Atmaram Gawande, of 
Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development.                    
Pages S9274-79
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 49 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. EX. 506), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.                   
Page S9275
  By 48 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. EX. 509), Linda Lopez, of California, 
to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of 
California.                                              
Pages S9279-87
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 47 yeas to 30 nays (Vote No. EX. 508), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.                   
Page S9279
  By 47 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. EX. 511), Jinsook Ohta, of 
California, to be United States District Judge for the Southern 
District of California.                                  
Pages S9287-89
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 47 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. EX. 510), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.                   
Page S9287
  By 45 yeas to 26 nays (Vote No. EX. 513), David Herrera Urias, of New 
Mexico, to be United States District Judge for the District of New 
Mexico.                                                  
Pages S9289-90
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 45 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. EX. 512), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.               
Pages S9289-90
  By 46 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. EX. 515), Maame Ewusi-Mensah 
Frimpong, of California, to be United States District Judge for the 
Central District of California.                          
Pages S9290-91
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 47 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. EX. 514), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.               
Pages S9290-91
  By 45 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. EX. 517), Jane M. Beckering, of 
Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Western District 
of Michigan.                                             
Pages S9291-92
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 46 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. EX. 516), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.               
Pages S9291-92
  By 44 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. EX. 519), Shalina D. Kumar, of 
Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District 
of Michigan.                                             
Pages S9292-93
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:

[[Page D1401]]


  By 45 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. EX. 518), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.                   
Page S9292
  By 46 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. EX. 521), Jennifer L. Thurston, of 
California, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District 
of California.                                           
Pages S9293-94
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 46 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. EX. 520), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.                   
Page S9293
  By 49 yeas to 21 nays (Vote No. EX. 523), Katherine Marie Menendez, 
of Minnesota, to be United States District Judge for the District of 
Minnesota.                                               
Pages S9294-95
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 49 yeas to 21 nays (Vote No. EX. 522), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.                   
Page S9294
  By 47 yeas to 23 nays (Vote No. EX. 525), Mary Katherine Dimke, of 
Washington, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District 
of Washington.                                           
Pages S9295-96
  During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  By 47 yeas to 23 nays (Vote No. EX. 524), Senate agreed to the motion 
to close further debate on the nomination.               
Pages S9295-96
  Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon, of New York, to be Ambassador to the 
Kingdom of Spain, and to serve concurrently and without additional 
compensation as Ambassador to the Principality of Andorra. 
Subsequently, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination was 
withdrawn.                                                   
Page S9297
  By 48 yeas to 21 nays (Vote No. EX. 526), Rahm Emanuel, of Illinois, 
to be Ambassador to Japan. Subsequently, the motion to invoke cloture 
on the nomination was withdrawn.                         
Pages S9297-98
  Jack A. Markell, of Delaware, to be Representative of the United 
States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and 
Development, with the rank of Ambassador.
  Bathsheba Nell Crocker, of the District of Columbia, to be 
Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the 
United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, with 
the rank of Ambassador.
  Mark Gitenstein, of Washington, to be Representative of the United 
States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of 
Ambassador.
  Denise Campbell Bauer, of California, to be Ambassador to the French 
Republic, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation 
as Ambassador to the Principality of Monaco.
  Claire D. Cronin, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to Ireland.
  Marcela Escobari, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Administrator 
of the United States Agency for International Development.
  Marc Evans Knapper, of California, to be Ambassador to the Socialist 
Republic of Vietnam.
  Rufus Gifford, of Massachusetts, to be Chief of Protocol, and to have 
the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service.
  Subsequently, the motions to invoke cloture on the nominations were 
withdrawn.                                                   
Page S9298
  Larry Edward Andre, Jr., of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Federal 
Republic of Somalia.
  Elizabeth Moore Aubin, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the People's 
Democratic Republic of Algeria.
  Steven C. Bondy, of New Jersey, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of 
Bahrain.
  Maria E. Brewer, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of 
Lesotho.
  Christopher John Lamora, of Rhode Island, to be Ambassador to the 
Republic of Cameroon.
  Tulinabo S. Mushingi, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic 
of Angola, and to serve concurrently and without additional 
compensation as Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and 
Principe.
  Michael Raynor, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Senegal, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation 
as Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
  Michele Jeanne Sison, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
State (International Organization Affairs).
  Eugene S. Young, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the 
Congo.
  Adam Scheinman, of Virginia, to be Special Representative of the 
President for Nuclear Nonproliferation, with the rank of Ambassador.
  Christopher P. Lu, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United 
States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, 
with the rank of Ambassador.
  Christopher P. Lu, of Virginia, to be an Alternate Representative of 
the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of 
the United Nations, during his tenure of service as Representative of 
the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management 
and Reform.
  Elizabeth Rosenberg, of Vermont, to be Assistant Secretary for 
Terrorist Financing, Department of the

[[Page D1402]]

Treasury. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs was discharged from further consideration.)
  Sharon L. Cromer, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
The Gambia.
  Troy Damian Fitrell, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Guinea.
  Marc Ostfield, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Paraguay.
  Cynthia Ann Telles, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic 
of Costa Rica.
  Peter D. Haas, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the People's Republic 
of Bangladesh.
  Kent Doyle Logsdon, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic 
of Moldova.
  Julie Chung, of California, to be Ambassador to the Democratic 
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
  Caryn R. McClelland, of California, to be Ambassador to Brunei 
Darussalam.
  Michael J. Murphy, of New York, to be Ambassador to Bosnia and 
Herzegovina.
  John R. Bass, of New York, to be an Under Secretary of State 
(Management).
  Laura S. H. Holgate, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United 
States of America to the Vienna Office of the United Nations, with the 
rank of Ambassador.
  Patricia Mahoney, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Central 
African Republic.
  Peter Hendrick Vrooman, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic 
of Mozambique.
  Jamie L. Harpootlian, of South Carolina, to be Ambassador to the 
Republic of Slovenia.
  Mark Brzezinski, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Poland.
  Elizabeth Anne Noseworthy Fitzsimmons, of Delaware, a Career Member 
of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
Ambassador to the Togolese Republic.
  Brian Wesley Shukan, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Benin.
  Alexia Marie Gabrielle Latortue, of the District of Columbia, to be 
an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
  Marc R. Stanley, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Argentine 
Republic.
  Scott Miller, of Colorado, to be Ambassador to the Swiss 
Confederation, and to serve concurrently and without additional 
compensation as Ambassador to the Principality of Liechtenstein.
  David R. Gilmour, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to 
the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
  Michael M. Adler, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of 
Belgium.
  Erik D. Ramanathan, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom 
of Sweden.                                               
Pages S9296-97
  Armando O. Bonilla, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the 
United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years.
  Carolyn N. Lerner, of Maryland, to be a Judge of the United States 
Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years.
  Catherine A. McLaughlin, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the 
Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community 
Service for a term expiring October 6, 2024.
  Lynnette Young Overby, of Delaware, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Humanities for the remainder of the term expiring 
January 26, 2022.
  Ismael N. Ahmed, of Michigan, to be a Member of the National Council 
on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.
  Huascar Medina, of Kansas, to be a Member of the National Council on 
the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2026.
  Fagan Harris, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board of Directors 
of the Corporation for National and Community Service for a term 
expiring October 6, 2023.
  Matthew S. Axelrod, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
Commerce.
  Maria Rosario Jackson, of the District of Columbia, to be Chairperson 
of the National Endowment for the Arts for a term of four years.
  Dennis DeConcini, of Arizona, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees 
of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education 
Foundation for a term expiring April 17, 2026.
  Joseph M. Green, of North Carolina, to be a Member of the Board of 
Trustees of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education 
Foundation for a term expiring March 3, 2022.            
Pages S9309-10
Nomination Received: Senate received the following nomination:
  Sandra L. Thompson, of Maryland, to be Director of the Federal 
Housing Finance Agency for a term of five years.             
Page S9310
Messages from the House:                                     
  Page S9303
Measures Placed on the Calendar:                             
  Page S9303
Enrolled Bills Presented:                                    
  Page S9303
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S9304-05
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S9305-06
Additional Statements:                                       
  Page S9302
Amendments Submitted:                                        
  Page S9306

[[Page D1403]]

Record Votes: Twenty-three record votes were taken today. (Total--528) 
                          Pages S9275, S9279, S9287, S9289-96, S9298-99
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021 
and adjourned at 4:04 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021, until 5 p.m. 
on Monday, December 20, 2021. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of 
the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S9310.)