[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 25 (Saturday, February 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S832-S836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 1596. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer) 
to the bill H.R. 815, to amend title 38, United States Code, to make 
certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive 
reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans 
Community Care program, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:
       Sec.__. None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act may be made available for assistance to 
     Gaza.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1597. Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. 
Warner, and Mr. Van Hollen) submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by her to the bill H.R. 815, to amend title 38, United States 
Code, to make certain improvements relating to the eligibility of 
veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished 
through the Veterans Community Care program, and for other purposes; 
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. EXEMPTION OF ALIENS WORKING AS FISH PROCESSORS FROM 
                   THE NUMERICAL LIMITATION ON H-2B NONIMMIGRANT 
                   VISAS.

       (a) In General.--Section 214(g)(10) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(10)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The numerical limitations of paragraph 
     (1)(B)'' and inserting ``(A) The numerical limitation under 
     paragraph (1)(B)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B)(i) The numerical limitation under paragraph (1)(B) 
     shall not apply to any nonimmigrant alien issued a visa or 
     otherwise provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) 
     who is employed (or has received an offer of employment)--
       ``(I) as a fish roe processor, a fish roe technician, or a 
     supervisor of fish roe processing; or
       ``(II) as a fish processor.
       ``(ii) As used in clause (i)--
       ``(I) the term `fish' means fresh or saltwater finfish, 
     mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of aquatic animal 
     life, including the roe of such animals, other than marine 
     mammals and birds; and
       ``(II) the term `processor' means any person engaged in the 
     processing of fish, including handling, storing, preparing, 
     heading, eviscerating, shucking, freezing, changing into 
     different market forms, manufacturing, preserving, packing, 
     labeling, dockside unloading, holding, and all other 
     processing activities.''.
       (b) Repeal.--Section 14006 of the Department of Defense 
     Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108-287) is repealed.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1598. Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Hirono, Ms. 
Warren, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Welch, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Durbin) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. 
Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer) to the bill H.R. 815, to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to 
the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency 
treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        On page 51, strike lines 10 through 16, and insert the 
     following:
       Sec. 614. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise 
     made available by this division and division B of this Act 
     and prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of 
     State, foreign operations, and related programs may be made 
     available for a contribution, grant, or other payment to the 
     United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law.
       (b) Certification.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the limitation 
     on assistance under subsection (a) shall no longer apply if 
     the President certifies that--
       (A) the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight 
     Services has completed an investigation into allegations of 
     wrongdoing by certain United Nations Relief and Works Agency 
     employees; and
       (B) the United Nations has taken appropriate remedial 
     action.
       (2) Notification.--Upon making a certification under 
     paragraph (1), the President shall promptly notify the 
     appropriate congressional committees in writing.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1599. Mr. CASEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer) 
to the bill H.R. 815, to amend title 38, United States Code, to make 
certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive 
reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans 
Community Care program, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 31, after line 21, add the following:

                   U.S. Customs and Border Protection

              procurement, construction, and improvements

       For necessary expenses of U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection for procurement, construction, and improvements, 
     $1,090,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2027, 
     to increase drug interdiction and processing capabilities at 
     land borders of the United States, of which $960,000,000 
     shall be for technology improvements and upgrades, which may 
     include the procurement and deployment of large-scale, small-
     scale, and handheld non-intrusive inspection scanning systems 
     at ports of entry along the land borders of the United States 
     and upgrades to the

[[Page S833]]

     information technology infrastructure upon which these 
     systems and associated software are operated; of which 
     $30,000,000 shall be for technological and procedural 
     improvements to the process of analyzing and adjudicating 
     images from non-intrusive inspection scanning technology at 
     land ports of entry, which may include support for the 
     continued development of anomaly detection algorithms to 
     enhance detection of illegal drugs at land ports of entry; 
     and of which $100,000,000 shall be for other technology and 
     infrastructure upgrades that the Commissioner for U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection deems necessary for the 
     agency's drug interdiction work:  Provided, That such amount 
     is designated by Congress as being for an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

                         operations and support

       For necessary expenses of U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection for operations and support, $285,000,000, to 
     remain available until September 30, 2027, for increasing 
     outbound inspection capabilities, including disrupting the 
     flow of firearms and currency out of the United States, of 
     which $10,000,000 shall be for supporting the creation of a 
     structured outbound inspection program within the Office of 
     Field Operations that includes a comprehensive outbound 
     inspection policy and performance metrics to measure the 
     impact of outbound inspections; $275,000,000 shall be for 
     outbound inspections infrastructure projects at the land 
     borders of the United States, including technology and 
     connectivity improvements at rural ports of entry and safety 
     and technology upgrades to outbound inspection lanes at ports 
     of entry:  Provided further, That such amount is designated 
     by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement 
     pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget 
     and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

                U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

                         operations and support

       For necessary expenses of U.S. Immigration and Customs 
     Enforcement for operations and support, $223,000,000, to 
     remain available until September 30, 2027, to expand efforts 
     to interdict fentanyl and other illegal drugs, and disrupt 
     networks operated by transnational criminal organizations 
     within the United States, of which $113,000,000 shall be for 
     additional Homeland Security Investigations special agents; 
     of which $80,000,000 shall be for the implementation of 
     Homeland Security Investigations' Strategy for Combating 
     Illicit Opioids; and of which $30,000,000 shall be for joint 
     surge operations along the land borders of the United States 
     by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and 
     Border Protection:  Provided, That such amount is designated 
     by Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to 
     section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985.
       On page 61, between lines 12 and 13, insert the following:

                               TITLE VIII

                         DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

                         operations and support

       For necessary expenses of the Department of Justice for 
     disrupting transnational fentanyl networks, $288,000,000, to 
     remain available until September 30, 2027, of which 
     $68,000,000 shall used by the Drug Enforcement Administration 
     for salaries and expenses relating to increased law 
     enforcement activities along the land borders of the United 
     States; of which $60,000,000 shall be used by the Drug 
     Enforcement Administration for the High Intensity Drug 
     Trafficking Areas Program; of which $110,000,000 shall be for 
     the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces; and of 
     which $50,000,000 shall be used by the U.S. Marshals Service 
     for salaries and expenses relating to increased law 
     enforcement activities along the land borders of the United 
     States:  Provided, That such amount is designated by Congress 
     as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1600. Mr. CASEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer) 
to the bill H.R. 815, to amend title 38, United States Code, to make 
certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive 
reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans 
Community Care program, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. REPORT ON ILLICIT TRAFFICKING OF ILLICIT XYLAZINE 
                   AND NON-FENTANYL DERIVED SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS INTO 
                   THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Illicit xylazine is an urgent threat to public health 
     and safety across the United States.
       (2) Xylazine, also known as ``tranq'', is a powerful 
     sedative used by veterinarians working with large animals, 
     such as horses and cattle.
       (3) Although not approved for human consumption, xylazine 
     is often added to other illicit drugs, particularly fentanyl, 
     to enhance the effects of such drugs and increase profits for 
     drug traffickers.
       (4) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has become known as 
     ``ground zero'' for the xylazine crisis, and recent studies 
     have found traces of xylazine in more than 90 percent of the 
     illicit drug supply in Philadelphia.
       (5) In October 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration 
     (DEA) reported that xylazine powder could be purchased online 
     from the People's Republic of China for prices as low as $6 
     to $20 per kilogram.
       (6) In September 2023, the DEA and the Department of 
     Homeland Security identified illicit xylazine entering the 
     United States in several ways, including in solid form from 
     the People's Republic of China and other countries, in liquid 
     form either diverted from veterinary supply chains or 
     packaged to resemble a veterinary drug, and mixed with 
     fentanyl seized at the southwest border.
       (7) In January 2024, the DEA noted that new and deadly 
     synthetic opioids, such as benzimidazole-based opioids, are 
     being increasingly trafficked and abused as the opioid 
     epidemic continues to evolve in the United States.
       (8) Also known as nitazenes, benzimidazole-based opioids 
     have no legitimate medicinal purpose and can be significantly 
     more potent than fentanyl.
       (9) As the United States continues the fight against 
     illicit fentanyl, more must be done to understand and combat 
     the emerging frontiers of the drug crisis in the United 
     States, including the illicit supply chain of xylazine and 
     non-fentanyl derived synthetic opioids.
       (b) Report Required.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the 
     Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to Congress a 
     report on the illicit trafficking of xylazine and non-
     fentanyl derived synthetic opioids into the United States.
       (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include:
       (A) an identification of the sources of illicit xylazine 
     and non-fentanyl derived synthetic opioids;
       (B) an identifcation of the locations from which illicit 
     xylazine and non-fentanyl synthetic opioids are originating;
       (C) a description of the involvement of the People's 
     Republic of China, India, and other major illicit drug 
     producing countries, as identified in Presidential 
     Determination No. 2023-12 (88 Fed. Reg. 66673; relating to 
     major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries 
     for fiscal year 2024), in the transit or production of 
     illicit xylazine and non-fentanyl derived synthetic opioids;
       (D) a description of what such illicit drug producing 
     countries are doing to stop the illicit trafficking of 
     xylazine and non-fentanyl derived synthetic opioids;
       (E) an assessment of the use of online markets and 
     platforms for the marketing, sale, and payment for illicit 
     xylazine and non-fentanyl derived synthetic opioids;
       (F) an assessment of the use of common carriers for the 
     shipment and delivery of illicit xylazine and non-fentanyl 
     derived synthetic opioids;
       (G) a description of current actions of the Federal 
     Government to combat the illicit trafficking of xylazine and 
     non-fentanyl derived synthetic opioids;
       (H) an identification of gaps and resource deficiencies in 
     combating the illicit trafficking of xylazine and non-
     fentanyl derived synthetic opioids; and
       (I) a description of strategies for targeted and 
     coordinated law enforcement efforts to disrupt the illicit 
     supply of xylazine and non-fentanyl derived synthetic 
     opioids.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1601. Ms. BUTLER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer) 
to the bill H.R. 815, to amend title 38, United States Code, to make 
certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive 
reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans 
Community Care program, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

        Beginning on page 32, strike line 6 and all that follows 
     through page 33, line 14, and insert the following:

                     refugee and entrant assistance

       For an additional amount for ``Refugee and Entrant 
     Assistance'', $748,000,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2025, for refugee and entrant assistance 
     activities authorized by section 414 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act and section 501 of the Refugee Education 
     Assistance Act of 1980:  Provided, That, of amounts made 
     available under this heading in this Act, $267,000,000 shall 
     be available to carry out section 402:  Provided further, 
     That amounts made available under this heading in this Act 
     may be used for grants or contracts with qualified 
     organizations, including nonprofit entities, to provide 
     culturally and linguistically appropriate services, including 
     wraparound services, housing assistance, medical assistance, 
     legal assistance, and case management assistance:  Provided 
     further, That amounts made available under this heading in 
     this

[[Page S834]]

     Act may be used by the Director of the Office of Refugee 
     Resettlement (Director) to issue awards or supplement awards 
     previously made by the Director:  Provided further, That the 
     Director, in carrying out section 412(c)(1)(A) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1552(c)(1)(A)) with 
     amounts made available under this heading in this Act, may 
     allocate such amounts among the States in a manner that 
     accounts for the most current data available:  Provided 
     further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as 
     being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985.

                     GENERAL PROVISION--THIS TITLE

       Sec. 401.  Section 401(a)(1)(A) of the Additional Ukraine 
     Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-128) is 
     amended by striking ``September 30, 2023'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 2024'':  Provided, That such amount is 
     designated by the Congress as being for an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
       Sec. 402. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     individuals entering the United States pursuant to the 
     implementation of Executive Order 14011, and paroled into the 
     United States under section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)(A)), including 
     individuals granted parole in place, or who otherwise were 
     issued a visa or other immigration benefit, shall be eligible 
     for the benefits described in subsection (b) if such 
     individuals completed security and law enforcement background 
     checks to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security and, if paroled, such individual's parole has not 
     been terminated by the Secretary of Homeland Security:  
     Provided, That such services shall also be available to 
     immediate family members of such individuals if such family 
     members are in the United States in such parole status:  
     Provided further, That the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services may identify the children, parents, and legal 
     guardians eligible to receive case management, mental health, 
     and other supportive services described under this section 
     through reference to the identified members of the classes, 
     and their minor children, in the class-action lawsuits Ms. 
     J.P. v. Barr and Ms. L. v. ICE.  Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, individuals 
     described in this subsection, including immediate family 
     members of such individuals, who have been paroled into the 
     United States under section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)) shall, for as long as 
     they are in such parole status, be eligible for resettlement 
     assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits 
     available to refugees admitted under section 207 of such Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1157) to the same extent, and for the same periods 
     of time, as such refugees.
       (b) Benefits.--An individual described in subsection (a) 
     shall be eligible for--
       (1) resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, mental 
     health and other supportive services, including access to 
     legal services, and other benefits available to refugees 
     admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1157);
       (2) services described under section 412(d)(2) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1522(d)(2)), 
     subject to subparagraph (B) of such section, if such 
     individual is an unaccompanied alien child (as defined in 
     section 462(g)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 under 
     6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2)).
       (c) Adjustment of Status.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security may 
     adjust the status of an individual described in subsection 
     (a), whose parole or visa has not been terminated, to that of 
     an individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence, if 
     the individual--
       (A) has been present in the United States for at least 1 
     year;
       (B) is otherwise admissible to the United States as an 
     immigrant; and
       (C) clears any additional background checks and screening, 
     as specified by the Secretary.
       (2) Inclusion.--The authority of the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security to adjust status under this subsection shall include 
     individuals granted parole in place.
       (3) No reduction in visa numbers.--On a grant of adjustment 
     of status under this subsection, the Secretary of State shall 
     not be required to reduce the number of immigrant visas 
     authorized to be issued under the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)).
       (4) Record.--On approval of such an application for 
     adjustment of status, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall create a record of the alien's admission as an alien 
     lawfully admitted for permanent residence as of the date of 
     the alien's inspection and entry described in subsection (a).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1602. Ms. BUTLER (for herself and Mr. Welch) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. 
Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer) to the bill H.R. 815, to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to 
the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency 
treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place insert the following:


            counsel for certain unaccompanied alien children

       Sec. 3512. 
        Section 235(c)(5) of the William Wilberforce Trafficking 
     Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (8 U.S.C. 
     1232(c)(5)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(5) Access to counsel.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall ensure, to 
     the greatest extent practicable and consistent with section 
     292 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1362), 
     that all unaccompanied alien children who are or have been in 
     the custody of the Secretary of Health and Human Services or 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security, and who are not described 
     in subsection (a)(2)(A), have counsel to represent them in 
     legal proceedings or matters and protect them from 
     mistreatment, exploitation, and trafficking. To the greatest 
     extent practicable, the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services shall make every effort to utilize the services of 
     pro bono counsel who agree to provide representation to such 
     children without charge.
       ``(B) Exception for certain children.--
       ``(i) In general.--An unaccompanied alien child who is 17 
     years of age or younger, and who is placed in or referred to 
     removal proceedings pursuant to section 240 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a), shall be 
     represented by counsel subject to clause (v).
       ``(ii) Age determinations.--The Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services shall ensure that age determinations of 
     unaccompanied alien children are conducted in accordance with 
     the procedures developed pursuant to subsection (b)(4).
       ``(iii) Appeals.--The rights and privileges under this 
     subparagraph shall attach to administrative reviews and 
     appeals.
       ``(iv) Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date of the enactment of the National Security Act, 2024, the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services shall implement this 
     subparagraph
       ``(v) Remedies.--For the population described in clause (i) 
     of this subparagraph, declaratory judgment that the 
     unaccompanied alien child has a right to be referred to 
     counsel, including pro-bono counsel, or a continuance of 
     immigration proceedings, shall be the exclusive remedies 
     available, other than for those funds subject to 
     appropriations.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1603. Mr. JOHNSON (for himself, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Hoeven) submitted 
an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1388 proposed by 
Mrs. Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer) to the bill H.R. 815, to 
amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements 
relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for 
emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care 
program, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       On page 3, lines 13 and 14, strike ``until December 31, 
     2024,'' and insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 3, lines 21 and 22, strike ``until December 31, 
     2024,'' and insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 4, lines 5 and 6, strike ``until December 31, 
     2024,'' and insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 4, lines 13 and 14, strike ``until December 31, 
     2024,'' and insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 4, lines 22 and 23, strike ``until December 31, 
     2024,'' and insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 5, lines 5 and 6, strike ``until December 31, 
     2024,'' and insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 5, line 23, strike ``until December 31, 2024,'' and 
     insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 6, line 7, strike ``until December 31, 2024,'' and 
     insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 6, line 16, strike ``until December 31, 2024,'' and 
     insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 7, line 1, strike ``until December 31, 2024,'' and 
     insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 17, lines 16 and 17, strike ``until December 31, 
     2024,'' and insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 18, line 9, strike ``until September 30, 2024,'' 
     and insert ``in accordance with section 106(f)''.
       On page 23, after line 16, add the following:
       Sec. 106. (a)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, funds appropriated by this title for any of the purposes 
     described in paragraph (2) shall be made available in 
     accordance with the schedule and conditions set forth in this 
     section.
       (2) The purposes described in this paragraph are--
       (A) responding to the situation in Ukraine and to the needs 
     of countries impacted by such situation, including for 
     related expenses;
       (B) carrying out the Ukraine Security Assistance 
     Initiative;
       (C) replacing, through new procurement or repair of 
     existing unserviceable equipment,

[[Page S835]]

     of defense articles from the stocks of the Department of 
     Defense;
       (D) providing reimbursements for defense services of the 
     Department of Defense and military education and training, 
     provided to or identified for provision to the Government of 
     Ukraine or to foreign countries that have provided support to 
     Ukraine at the request of the United States; and
       (E) providing assistance to Ukraine, which may include 
     budget support, and to countries impacted by the situation in 
     Ukraine.
       (b) Of the total funds appropriated by this title, 25 
     percent shall be made available on the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.
       (c) The remaining 75 percent of the funds appropriated by 
     this title shall be made available in accordance with the 
     following schedule:
       (1) Not earlier than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 8.33 percent of the funds appropriated 
     by this title shall be made available if the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security has certified 
     to Congress that, during the most recent month for which data 
     is available, not more than 127,000 of the aliens who entered 
     the United States without lawful status were--
       (A) released into the United States after being encountered 
     or apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       (B) granted humanitarian parole pursuant to section 
     212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(d)(5)); or
       (C) a got away.
       (2) Not earlier than 120 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 8.33 percent of the funds appropriated 
     by this title shall be made available if the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security has certified 
     to Congress that, during the most recent month for which data 
     is available, not more than 111,000 of the aliens who entered 
     the United States without lawful status were--
       (A) released into the United States after being encountered 
     or apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       (B) granted humanitarian parole pursuant to section 
     212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(d)(5)); or
       (C) a got away.
       (3) Not earlier than 150 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 8.34 percent of the funds appropriated 
     by this title shall be made available if the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security has certified 
     to Congress that, during the most recent month for which data 
     is available, not more than 95,000 of the aliens who entered 
     the United States without lawful status were--
       (A) released into the United States after being encountered 
     or apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       (B) granted humanitarian parole pursuant to section 
     212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(d)(5)); or
       (C) a got away.
       (4) Not earlier than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 8.33 percent of the funds appropriated 
     by this title shall be made available if the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security has certified 
     to Congress that, during the most recent month for which data 
     is available, not more than 79,000 of the aliens who entered 
     the United States without lawful status were--
       (A) released into the United States after being encountered 
     or apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       (B) granted humanitarian parole pursuant to section 
     212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(d)(5)); or
       (C) a got away.
       (5) Not earlier than 210 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 8.33 percent of the funds appropriated 
     by this title shall be made available if the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security has certified 
     to Congress that, during the most recent month for which data 
     is available, not more than 63,000 of the aliens who entered 
     the United States without lawful status were--
       (A) released into the United States after being encountered 
     or apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       (B) granted humanitarian parole pursuant to section 
     212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(d)(5)); or
       (C) a got away.
       (6) Not earlier than 240 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 8.34 percent of the funds appropriated 
     by this title shall be made available if the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security has certified 
     to Congress that, during the most recent month for which data 
     is available, not more than 47,000 of the aliens who entered 
     the United States without lawful status were--
       (A) released into the United States after being encountered 
     or apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       (B) granted humanitarian parole pursuant to section 
     212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(d)(5)); or
       (C) a got away.
       (7) Not earlier than 270 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 8.33 percent of the funds appropriated 
     by this title shall be made available if the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security has certified 
     to Congress that, during the most recent month for which data 
     is available, not more than 31,000 of the aliens who entered 
     the United States without lawful status were--
       (A) released into the United States after being encountered 
     or apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       (B) granted humanitarian parole pursuant to section 
     212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(d)(5)); or
       (C) a got away.
       (8) Not earlier than 300 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 8.33 percent of the funds appropriated 
     by this title shall be made available if the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security has certified 
     to Congress that, during the most recent month for which data 
     is available, not more than 15,000 of the aliens who entered 
     the United States without lawful status were--
       (A) released into the United States after being encountered 
     or apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       (B) granted humanitarian parole pursuant to section 
     212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(d)(5)); or
       (C) a got away.
       (9) Not earlier than 330 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 8.34 percent of the funds appropriated 
     by this title shall be made available if the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security has certified 
     to Congress that, during the most recent month for which data 
     is available, not more than 1,000 of the aliens who entered 
     the United States without lawful status were--
       (A) released into the United States after being encountered 
     or apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       (B) granted humanitarian parole pursuant to section 
     212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182(d)(5)); or
       (C) a got away.
       (d) In determining the timing of the distribution of funds 
     made available pursuant to subsections (b) and (c), the 
     President may prioritize certain accounts:  Provided, That 
     the total amount made available to any account does not 
     exceed the amount appropriated to such account pursuant to 
     this Act.
       (e) In this section, the term ``got away'' has the meaning 
     given such term in section 1092(a)(3) of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (6 U.S.C. 223(a)(3)).
       (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, amounts 
     appropriated by this title for the purposes described in 
     subsection (a)(2) shall remain available until the date that 
     is 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (g) Any amounts appropriated by this title that are not 
     obligated or expended before the date referred to in 
     subsection (f) shall be returned to the Treasury on such 
     date.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1604. Mr. MARKEY (for himself and Ms. Warren) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. 
Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer) to the bill H.R. 815, to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to 
the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency 
treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION FOR ASYLUM APPLICANTS.

       Section 208(d)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1158(d)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) Employment eligibility.--
       ``(A) In general.--Concurrently with the filing of an 
     application for asylum, an applicant for asylum may apply for 
     employment authorization under this section.
       ``(B) Decision on application.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security may not approve an application for employment 
     authorization filed under this paragraph until the date that 
     is 30 days after the date on which the applicant filed an 
     application for asylum.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1605. Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Ms. Collins) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. 
Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer) to the bill H.R. 815, to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to 
the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency 
treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of title III of division A, add the following:

                           federal assistance

       For an additional amount for ``Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency--Federal Assistance'', $100,000,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2025, for Operation 
     Stonegarden:  Provided, That not less than 25 percent of the 
     total amount provided under this heading in this Act shall be 
     for States other than those located along the southwest 
     border:  Provided further, That such amount is designated by 
     the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant 
     to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

[[Page S836]]

  

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1606. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. Murray (for herself and Mr. 
Schumer) to the bill H.R. 815, to amend title 38, United States Code, 
to make certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to 
receive reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the 
Veterans Community Care program, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 31, after line 21, add the following:

                   U.S. Customs and Border Protection

              procurement, construction, and improvements

       For an additional amount for ``U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection--Procurement, Construction, and Improvements'', 
     $424,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, 
     for acquisition and deployment of non-intrusive inspection 
     technology:  Provided, That the amounts made available under 
     this heading are designated by Congress as being for an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of 
     the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985.

                     GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE

                     (including transfers of funds)

       Sec. 301. (a) Amounts made available in this title under 
     the heading ``U.S. Customs and Border Protection--
     Procurement, Construction, and Improvements'' for the 
     acquisition and deployment of non-intrusive inspection 
     technology shall be available only through an open 
     competition occurring after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act to acquire innovative technologies that improve 
     performance, including through the integration of artificial 
     intelligence and machine learning capabilities.
       (b) Beginning on March 1, 2025, the Commissioner for U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection shall provide to the Committee 
     on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives a quarterly 
     update on the impacts of deployments of additional non-
     intrusive inspection technology on key performance metrics 
     and operational capabilities that includes--
       (1) the percentage of passenger and cargo vehicles scanned;
       (2) the percentage of seizures of narcotics, currency, 
     weapons, ammunition, and other illicit items at inbound and 
     outbound operations at ports of entry, checkpoints, and other 
     locations, as applicable; and
       (3) the impact of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
     workforce requirements resulting from the deployment of 
     additional non-intrusive inspection technology.

       On page 39, line 25, strike ``$375,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$400,000,000''.
       On page 40, insert ``Provided further, That of the total 
     amount provided under this heading in this Act, $25,000,000 
     shall be for countering the flow of fentanyl, fentanyl 
     precursors, and other synthetic drugs into the United States, 
     following consultations with the Committee on Appropriations 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives:'' after ``requirements:''.
       On page 61, between lines 12 and 13, insert the following:

                               TITLE VIII

                         DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

                    Drug Enforcement Administration

                         salaries and expenses

       For an additional amount for ``Drug Enforcement 
     Administration--Salaries and Expenses'', $23,200,000, to 
     remain available until September 30, 2026, to enhance 
     laboratory analysis of illicit fentanyl samples to trace 
     illicit fentanyl supplies back to manufacturers, to support 
     Operation Overdrive, and to bolster criminal drug network 
     targeting efforts through data system improvements:  
     Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as 
     being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1607. Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Ms. Murkowski) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1388 proposed by Mrs. 
Murray (for herself and Mr. Schumer) to the bill H.R. 815, to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to 
the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency 
treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. ASSISTANCE FOR FOREIGN NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS 
                   UNDER PART I OF THE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 
                   1961.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, regulation, or 
     policy, in determining eligibility for assistance authorized 
     under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
     2151 et seq.), foreign nongovernmental organizations--
       (1) shall not be ineligible for such assistance solely on 
     the basis of health or medical services, including counseling 
     and referral services, provided by such organizations with 
     non-United States Government funds if such services do not 
     violate the laws of the country in which they are being 
     provided and would not violate United States Federal law if 
     provided in the United States; and
       (2) shall not be subject to requirements relating to the 
     use of non-United States Government funds for advocacy and 
     lobbying activities other than those that apply to United 
     States nongovernmental organizations receiving assistance 
     under part I of such Act.

                          ____________________