[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 190 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1202-D1205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                       Wednesday, November 15, 2023

[[Page D1202]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed H.R. 6363, Further Continuing Appropriations and 
      Other Extensions Act.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S5515-S5579
Measures Introduced: Forty bills and nine resolutions were introduced, 
as follows: S. 3304-3343, S.J. Res. 51, and S. Res. 464-471. 
                                                         Pages S5540-41
Measures Passed:
  Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act: By 87 
yeas to 11 nays (Vote No. 312), Senate passed H.R. 6363, making further 
continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2024, by the order of the 
Senate of Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 60 Senators having voted in the 
affirmative, after agreeing to the motion to proceed to consideration 
of the bill, and after taking action on the following amendment 
proposed thereto:                              
  Pages S5515-26, S5527-29
Rejected:
  By 32 yeas to 65 nays (Vote No. 311), Paul Amendment No. 1366, to 
reduce continuing funding by 15 percent, except for the Department of 
Defense, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs 
and to rescind $30,000,000,000 from enforcement funds provided to the 
Internal Revenue Service.                                    
Page S5528
  During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the 
following action:
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed 
to consideration of the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of 
Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will 
occur on Friday, November 17, 2023.                          
Page S5515
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the motion 
to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration of the 
bill, be withdrawn.                                          
Page S5527
  Armenian Protection Act:  Committee on Foreign Relations was 
discharged from further consideration of S. 3000, to repeal Freedom 
Support Act section 907 waiver authority with respect to assistance to 
Azerbaijan, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the 
following amendment proposed thereto:                    
  Pages S5531-33
  Peters Amendment No. 1367, in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                             Page S5532
  Commitment to Veterans Support and Outreach Act:  Senate passed S. 
106, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs to award grants to States to improve outreach to 
veterans, after withdrawing the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, and agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                         Pages S5556-58
  Schumer (for Baldwin) Amendment No. 1368, of a perfecting nature. 
                                                             Page S5554
  GAO Inspector General Parity Act:  Senate passed S. 1510, to amend 
provisions relating to the Office of the Inspector General of the 
Government Accountability Office, after agreeing to the following 
amendment proposed thereto:                                  
  Page S5558
  Schumer (for Braun) Amendment No. 1369, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                  
Page S5558
  Drive Safer Sunday:  Senate agreed to S. Res. 468, designating 
November 26, 2023, as ``Drive Safer Sunday''.                
  Page S5558
  Congratulating the Las Vegas Aces:  Senate agreed to S. Res. 469, 
commending and congratulating the Las Vegas Aces basketball team on 
winning the 2023 Women's National Basketball Association Championship. 
                                                             Page S5558
  National Rural Health Day:  Senate agreed to S. Res. 470, designating 
November 16th, 2023, as ``National Rural Health Day''.       
  Page S5558
  National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month:  Senate agreed to 
S. Res. 471, expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Day 
and National Adoption Month by promoting national

[[Page D1203]]

awareness of adoption and the children awaiting families, celebrating 
children and families involved in adoption, and encouraging the people 
of the United States to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for 
all children.                                                
  Page S5558
Measures Failed:
  Student Loan CRA:  By 49 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 310), Senate 
failed to pass S.J. Res. 43, providing for congressional disapproval 
under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted 
by the Department of Education relating to ``Improving Income Driven 
Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the 
Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program'', after agreeing to the 
motion to proceed to consideration of the joint resolution. 
                                                         Pages S5526-27
House Messages:
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024: Senate began 
consideration of the House Message to accompany H.R. 2670, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2024 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense and for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, taking action on the following motions 
to instruct conferees on the part of the Senate on the disagreeing 
votes of the two Houses on the bill to be instructed to insist on the 
inclusion in the final conference report the following motions proposed 
thereto:                                                 
  Pages S5529-31
Adopted:
  By 90 yeas to 8 nays (Vote No. 313), motion to insist on the 
amendment of the Senate to the bill, agree to the request for 
conference with the House, and authorize the Chair to appoint conferees 
on the part of the Senate.                               
Pages S5529-30
  Reed (for Klobuchar) motion to instruct conferees to insist that the 
final conference report include provisions to provide stability and 
support, including a pathway to permanent residency, for eligible 
Afghan individuals in the United States, provided that such stability 
and support does not endanger United States citizens or the national 
security of the United States, and to provide additional support for 
certain at-risk Afghan allies abroad, provided that such support would 
not negatively impact the safety and security of Afghans who were 
employed by or on behalf of the United States.               
Page S5530
  Reed (for Hickenlooper/Bennet) motion to instruct conferees to insist 
upon a provision that prohibits any limitation on the use by the United 
States Space Command of funds for military construction.     
Page S5530
  Wicker (for Blackburn) motion to instruct conferees to insist that 
the final conference report include a provision to prohibit any action 
by the United States Government to release funds or assets to Iran 
pursuant to the document entitled ``Waiver of Sanctions with respect to 
the Transfer of Funds from the Republic of Korea to Qatar'' and 
transmitted to Congress on September 11, 2023.               
Page S5530
  Wicker (for Lankford) motion to instruct conferees to increase 
defense cooperation with Israel in order to reaffirm its right to 
defend itself against state and non-state actors who seek to undermine 
Israel's sovereignty.                                        
Page S5530
  Lummis motion to instruct conferees to insist that the final 
conference report include subtitle J of title X of division A of Senate 
Bill 2226, 118th Congress, passed July 27, 2023.         
Pages S5530-31
  Wicker (for Cramer) motion to instruct conferees to insist upon 
maintaining the provisions of H.R. 2670 that support the critical 
development of the future airborne intelligence, surveillance, and 
reconnaissance (ISR) capability of the Air Force.            
Page S5531
  Wicker (for Moran) motion to instruct conferees to insist upon the 
provisions contained in section 1049 of the Senate amendment (relating 
to access to commissary and exchange privileges for remarried spouses).
                                                             Page S5531
  Wicker (for Ernst) motion to instruct conferees to insist upon the 
inclusion title XI of S. 2226, as passed by the Senate on July 27, 2023 
(relating to an authorization for the Secretary of State to engage 
compact of free association countries on identifying or developing 
national security councils and advising and providing assistance for 
developing such councils).                                   
Page S5531
  Wicker (for Hagerty) motion to instruct conferees to insist upon the 
provisions contained in section 1880 of H.R. 2670 (relating to a 
prohibition on contracting with certain biotechnology providers). 
                                                             Page S5531
  Wicker (for Braun/Manchin) motion to instruct conferees to insist 
upon the provisions contained in section 902 of the Senate amendment 
(relating to reinstatement of position of Chief Management Officer of 
Department of Defense), which includes planning and processes, business 
transformations, and performance measurement and management activities 
across the Armed Forces, combatant commands, and other components of 
the Department of Defense to address the backsliding of fiscal 
responsibility within the Department and appoint a dedicated leader in 
a senior position within the Department whose mission it is to be a 
good steward of Federal resources.                           
Page S5531
  Reed (for Manchin) motion to instruct conferees to insist that the 
final conference report include the

[[Page D1204]]

provision in the concurrent resolution as agreed to by the Senate that 
directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a nuclear fuel program 
with the purpose of onshoring uranium conversion and enrichment 
capacity to ensure a disruption in Russian supply would not impact the 
development of advanced reactors or the currently operating fleet. 
                                                             Page S5531
Rejected:
  Wicker (for Rubio) motion to instruct conferees to insist that the 
final conference report include the provisions to enforce section 
212(a)(3)(B)(i)(VII) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(VII)) to revoke visas and initiate deportation 
proceedings for any foreign national who has endorsed or espoused the 
terrorist activities of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, or 
any another foreign terrorist organization (as designated under section 
219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189)) that has 
participated in terrorist attacks against Israel and United States 
citizens before, on, or after October 7, 2023.               
Page S5530
  The Chair was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the 
part of the Senate: Senators Reed, Shaheen, Gillibrand, Blumenthal, 
Hirono, Kaine, King, Warren, Peters, Manchin, Duckworth, Rosen, Kelly, 
Wicker, Fischer, Cotton, Rounds, Ernst, Sullivan, Cramer, Scott (FL), 
Tuberville, Mullin, Budd, and Schmitt.                       
Page S5531


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

  
  On pages D1203-1204, November 15, 2023, the following language 
appears: Adopted: By 90 yeas to 8 nays (Vote No. 313), motion to 
insist on the amendment of the Senate to the bill, agree to the 
request for conference with the House, and authorize the Chair to 
appoint conferees on the part of the Senate. Pages S5529-30 Reed 
(for Klobuchar) motion to instruct conferees to insist that the 
final conference report include provisions to provide stability 
and support, including a pathway to permanent residency, for 
eligible Afghan individuals in the United States, provided that 
such stability and support does not endanger United States 
citizens or the national security of the United States, and to 
provide additional support for certain at-risk Afghan allies 
abroad, provided that such support would not negatively impact the 
safety and security of Afghans who were employed by or on behalf 
of the United States. Page S5530 Wicker (for Rubio) motion to 
instruct conferees to insist that the final conference report 
include the provisions to enforce section 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(VII) of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(VII)) to revoke visas and initiate deportation 
proceedings for any foreign national who has endorsed or espoused 
the terrorist activities of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, 
Hezbollah, or any another foreign terrorist organization (as 
designated under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1189)) that has participated in terrorist attacks 
against Israel and United States citizens before, on, or after 
October 7, 2023. Page S5530 Reed (for Hickenlooper/Bennet) motion 
to instruct conferees to insist upon a provision that prohibits 
any limitation on the use by the United States Space Command of 
funds for military construction. Page S5530 Wicker (for Blackburn) 
motion to instruct conferees to insist that the final conference 
report include a provision to prohibit any action by the United 
States Government to release funds or assets to Iran pursuant to 
the document entitled ``Waiver of Sanctions with respect to the 
Transfer of Funds from the Republic of Korea to Qatar'' and 
transmitted to Congress on September 11, 2023. Page S5530 Wicker 
(for Lankford) motion to instruct conferees to increase defense 
cooperation with Israel in order to reaffirm its right to defend 
itself against state and non-state actors who seek to undermine 
Israel's sovereignty. Page S5530 Lummis motion to instruct 
conferees to insist that the final conference report include 
subtitle J of title X of division A of Senate Bill 2226, 118th 
Congress, passed July 27, 2023. Pages S5530-31 Wicker (for Cramer) 
motion to instruct conferees to insist upon maintaining the 
provisions of H.R. 2670 that support the critical development of 
the future airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance 
(ISR) capability of the Air Force. Page S5531 Wicker (for Moran) 
motion to instruct conferees to insist upon the provisions 
contained in section 1049 of the Senate amendment (relating to 
access to commissary and exchange privileges for remarried 
spouses). Page S5531 Wicker (for Ernst) motion to instruct 
conferees to insist upon the inclusion title XI of S. 2226, as 
passed by the Senate on July 27, 2023 (relating to an 
authorization for the Secretary of State to engage compact of free 
association countries on identifying or developing national 
security councils and advising and providing assistance for 
developing such councils). Page S5531 Wicker (for Hagerty) motion 
to instruct conferees to insist upon the provisions contained in 
section 1880 of H.R. 2670 (relating to a prohibition on 
contracting with certain biotechnology providers). Page S5531 
Wicker (for Braun/Manchin) motion to instruct conferees to insist 
upon the provisions contained in section 902 of the Senate 
amendment (relating to reinstatement of position of Chief 
Management Officer of Department of Defense), which includes 
planning and processes, business transformations, and performance 
measurement and management activities across the Armed Forces, 
combatant commands, and other components of the Department of 
Defense to address the backsliding of fiscal responsibility within 
the Department and appoint a dedicated leader in a senior position 
within the Department whose mission it is to be a good steward of 
Federal resources. Page S5531 Reed (for Manchin) motion to 
instruct conferees to insist that the final conference report 
include the provision in the concurrent resolution as agreed to by 
the Senate that directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a 
nuclear fuel program with the purpose of onshoring uranium 
conversion and enrichment capacity to ensure a disruption in 
Russian supply would not impact the development of advanced 
reactors or the currently operating fleet. Page S5531 The Chair 
was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of 
the Senate: Senators Reed, Shaheen, Gillibrand, Blumenthal, 
Hirono, Kaine, King, Warren, Peters, Manchin, Duckworth, Rosen, 
Kelly, Wicker, Fischer, Cotton, Rounds, Ernst, Sullivan, Cramer, 
Scott (FL), Tuberville, Mullin, Budd, and Schmitt. Page S5531
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: Adopted: By 90 
yeas to 8 nays (Vote No. 313), motion to insist on the amendment 
of the Senate to the bill, agree to the request for conference 
with the House, and authorize the Chair to appoint conferees on 
the part of the Senate. Pages S5529-30 Reed (for Klobuchar) motion 
to instruct conferees to insist that the final conference report 
include provisions to provide stability and support, including a 
pathway to permanent residency, for eligible Afghan individuals in 
the United States, provided that such stability and support does 
not endanger United States citizens or the national security of 
the United States, and to provide additional support for certain 
at-risk Afghan allies abroad, provided that such support would not 
negatively impact the safety and security of Afghans who were 
employed by or on behalf of the United States. Page S5530 Reed 
(for Hickenlooper/Bennet) motion to instruct conferees to insist 
upon a provision that prohibits any limitation on the use by the 
United States Space Command of funds for military construction. 
Page S5530 Wicker (for Blackburn) motion to instruct conferees to 
insist that the final conference report include a provision to 
prohibit any action by the United States Government to release 
funds or assets to Iran pursuant to the document entitled ``Waiver 
of Sanctions with respect to the Transfer of Funds from the 
Republic of Korea to Qatar'' and transmitted to Congress on 
September 11, 2023. Page S5530 Wicker (for Lankford) motion to 
instruct conferees to increase defense cooperation with Israel in 
order to reaffirm its right to defend itself against state and 
non-state actors who seek to undermine Israel's sovereignty. Page 
S5530 Lummis motion to instruct conferees to insist that the final 
conference report include subtitle J of title X of division A of 
Senate Bill 2226, 118th Congress, passed July 27, 2023. Pages 
S5530-31 Wicker (for Cramer) motion to instruct conferees to 
insist upon maintaining the provisions of H.R. 2670 that support 
the critical development of the future airborne intelligence, 
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability of the Air 
Force. Page S5531Wicker (for Moran) motion to instruct conferees 
to insist upon the provisions contained in section 1049 of the 
Senate amendment (relating to access to commissary and exchange 
privileges for remarried spouses).Page S5531Wicker (for Ernst) 
motion to instruct conferees to insist upon the inclusion title XI 
of S. 2226, as passed by the Senate on July 27, 2023 (relating to 
an authorization for the Secretary of State to engage compact of 
free association countries on identifying or developing national 
security councils and advising and providing assistance for 
developing such councils).Page S5531Wicker (for Hagerty) motion to 
instruct conferees to insist upon the provisions contained in 
section 1880 of H.R. 2670 (relating to a prohibition on 
contracting with certain biotechnology providers).Page S5531Wicker 
(for Braun/Manchin) motion to instruct conferees to insist upon 
the provisions contained in section 902 of the Senate amendment 
(relating to reinstatement of position of Chief Management Officer 
of Department of Defense), which includes planning and processes, 
business transformations, and performance measurement and 
management activities across the Armed Forces, combatant commands, 
and other components of the Department of Defense to address the 
backsliding of fiscal responsibility within the Department and 
appoint a dedicated leader in a senior position within the 
Department whose mission it is to be a good steward of Federal 
resources.Page S5531Reed (for Manchin) motion to instruct 
conferees to insist that the final conference report include the 
provision in the concurrent resolution as agreed to by the Senate 
that directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a nuclear fuel 
program with the purpose of onshoring uranium conversion and 
enrichment capacity to ensure a disruption in Russian supply would 
not impact the development of advanced reactors or the currently 
operating fleet.Page S5531Rejected:Wicker (for Rubio) motion to 
instruct conferees to insist that the final conference report 
include the provisions to enforce section 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(VII) of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(VII)) to revoke visas and initiate deportation 
proceedings for any foreign national who has endorsed or espoused 
the terrorist activities of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, 
Hezbollah, or any another foreign terrorist organization (as 
designated under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1189)) that has participated in terrorist attacks 
against Israel and United States citizens before, on, or after 
October 7, 2023.Page S5530The Chair was authorized to appoint the 
following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Reed, 
Shaheen, Gillibrand, Blumenthal, Hirono, Kaine, King, Warren, 
Peters, Manchin, Duckworth, Rosen, Kelly, Wicker, Fischer, Cotton, 
Rounds, Ernst, Sullivan, Cramer, Scott (FL), Tuberville, Mullin, 
Budd, and Schmitt.Page S5531


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


     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: Friday, November 17, 2023, at 
     7:30 a.m.; Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 10 a.m.; and 
     Friday, November 24, 2023, at 11 a.m.; and that when the 
     Senate adjourns on Friday, November 24, 2023, it next convene 
     at 3 p.m., on Monday, November 27, 2023.                30Bryan 
     Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the 
     nominatn Nomion of Jeffrey M. Bryan, of Minnesota, to be 
     United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota. 
                                                             Page S5533
  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, November 16, 2023, a vote on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m. 
on Monday, November 27, 2023.                                
Page S5533
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5533
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 
approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, November 27, 2023, Senate resume 
consideration of the nomination, and that the cloture motions filed on 
Thursday, November 16, 2023, ripen at 5:30 p.m.              
Page S5558
     Garnett Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of 
     the nomination of Margaret M. Garnett, of New York, to be 
     United States District Judge for the Southern District of New 
     York.                                                   90[D15NO3-
     29]{D1204}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 Jeffrey M. Bryan, of Minnesota, to be United States 
District Judge for the District of Minnesota.                
Page S5533
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5533
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5533
     Rodriguez Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of 
     the nomination of Jose Javier Rodriguez, of Florida, to be an 
     Assistant Secretary of Labor.                           90[D15NO3-
     33]{D1204}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 Margaret M. Garnett, of New York, to be United States 
District Judge for the Southern District of New York.        
Page S5533
  Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the 
following action:
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. 
                                                             Page S5533
  Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to 
consider the nomination.                                     
Page S5533
Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:
  Roger F. Nyhus, of Washington, to be Ambassador to Barbados, and to 
serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to 
the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua and 
Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and 
the Grenadines.                                          
Pages S5533-34
Nomination Received: Senate received the following nomination:
  Kirk Edward Sherriff, of California, to be United States District 
Judge for the Eastern District of California.                
Page S5579

[[Page D1205]]

Measures Read the First Time:                                
  Page S5539
Executive Communications:                                    
  Page S5539
Executive Reports of Committees:                         
  Pages S5539-40
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S5541-43
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S5543-54
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S5538-39
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S5554-56
Notices of Intent:                                           
  Page S5556
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                          
  Page S5556
Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--313) 
                                        Page S5527, S5528, S5529, S5530
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 3:43 a.m., on 
Thursday, November 16, 2023, until 7:30 a.m. on Friday, November 17, 
2023. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority 
Leader in today's Record on page S5558.)