Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 49 (Friday, March 14, 2025)

[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 49 (Friday, March 14, 2025)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D266-D268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Friday, March 14, 2025

[[Page D266]]

Daily Digest

HIGHLIGHTS

Senate passed S.331, Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act,
as amended.
Senate passed H.R.1968, Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and
Extensions Act.

Senate

Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S1753-S1786
Measures Introduced: Eighteen bills and five resolutions were
introduced, as follows: S. 1070-1087, and S. Res. 127-131.
Pages S1776-77
Measures Reported:
Special Report entitled ``Further Revised Allocation to Subcommittees
of Budget Totals for Fiscal Year 2025''. (S. Rept. No. 119-3)
S. 195, to amend the Visit America Act to promote music tourism. (S.
Rept. No. 119-4)
Page S1776
Measures Passed:
Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act: By 84 yeas to 16 nays
(Vote No. 127), Senate passed S. 331, to amend the Controlled
Substances Act with respect to the scheduling of fentanyl-related
substances, after agreeing to the committee reported substitute
amendment, and taking action on the following amendment proposed
thereto:
Pages S1762-68
Withdrawn:
Thune (for Grassley) Amendment No. 1237, of a perfecting nature.
Page S1765
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act: By 54 yeas to
46 nays (Vote No. 133), Senate passed H.R. 1968, making further
continuing appropriations and other extensions for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2025, after agreeing to the motion to proceed, and
taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S1768-72
Rejected:
By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 129), Merkley Amendment No. 1273, to
except the application of certain rescissions. (A unanimous-consent
agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having failed to
achieve 60 affirmative votes, was not agreed to.)
Page S1769
By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 130), Duckworth Amendment No. 1274,
to make veteran Federal employees who were involuntarily dismissed
without cause eligible for reinstatement and to require reports from
Executive agencies on the number of veteran employees fired from such
agencies. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the
amendment, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, was not
agreed to.)
Pages S1770-71
By 48 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 131), Van Hollen Amendment No. 1272,
to prohibit the use of appropriated amounts by DOGE. (A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having
failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, was not agreed to.)
Page S1771
By 27 yeas to 73 nays (Vote No. 132), Paul Amendment No. 1266, to
reduce the amount appropriated for the United States Agency for
International Development.
Page S1771
During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the
following action:
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 S1768
By 62 yeas to 38 nays (Vote No. 128), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed
to the motion to close further debate on the bill.
Pages S1768-69
District of Columbia Local Funds Act: Senate passed S. 1077, to
approve local funds for the District of Columbia for fiscal year 2025,
in accordance with the Fiscal Year 2025 Local Budget Act of 2024, and
to establish provisions for the use of such funds.
Pages S1772-73

[[Page D267]]

National Board Certification Teachers: Senate agreed to S. Res. 129,
recognizing and honoring teachers who have earned or maintained
National Board Certification.
Page S1785
Honoring Dr. Mary Edwards Walker: Senate agreed to S. Res. 130,
honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.
Page S1785
National CACFP Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 131, designating the
third week of March 2025 as ``National CACFP Week''.
Page S1785
Use of Emancipation Hall: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 17,
authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center
for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance
of victims of the Holocaust.
Page S1785
Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the
upcoming adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the
President Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leaders be
authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards,
conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by
concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate.
Page S1786
Authority for Committees--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was
reached providing that Committees be authorized to report out
legislation on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 12 noon until 12:30 p.m.
Page S1786
Pro Forma Sessions--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was
reached providing that the Senate convene for pro forma sessions only,
with no business being conducted on the following dates and times:
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 12:15 p.m.; Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 12
noon; and that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, March 20, 2025, it
next convene at 3 p.m., on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Page S1786
Phelan Nomination: Senate resumed consideration of the nomination of
John Phelan, of Florida, to be Secretary of the Navy.
Page S1773
During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the
following action:
By 64 yeas to 33 nays (Vote No. EX. 134), Senate agreed to the motion
to close further debate on the nomination.
Page S1773
Landau Nomination: Senate continued consideration of the nomination of
Christopher Landau, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of State.
Page S1773
During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the
following action:
By 63 yeas to 32 nays (Vote No. EX. 135), Senate agreed to the motion
to close further debate on the nomination.
Page S1773
Phelan and Landau Nominations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement
was reached providing that all post-cloture time on the nominations of
John Phelan, of Florida, to be Secretary of the Navy, and Christopher
Landau, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of State, be expired and
Senate vote on confirmation of the nominations at a time to be
determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Democratic
Leader, no earlier than Monday, March 24, 2025.
Page S1786
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at
approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, March 24, 2025, Senate resume
consideration of the nomination of John Phelan, of Florida, to be
Secretary of the Navy, and that at 5:30 p.m., Senate vote on
confirmation of the nomination of John Phelan, followed by a vote on
confirmation of the nomination of Christopher Landau, of Maryland, to
be Deputy Secretary of State; and that the motions to invoke cloture
filed during the session of the Senate of Friday, March 14, 2025, ripen
on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Page S1786
Kratsios Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the
nomination of Michael Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be Director of
the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Pages S1773-74
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 Friday,
March 14, 2025, a vote on cloture will occur on Tuesday, March 25,
2025.
Page S1786
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the
following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to
consider the nomination.
Page S1773
Bhattacharya Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the
nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya, of California, to be Director of
the National Institutes of Health.
Page S1774
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 Michael Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be Director of
the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Page S1774
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the
following action:

[[Page D268]]

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S1774
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to
consider the nomination.
Page S1774
Makary Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the
nomination of Martin Makary, of Virginia, to be Commissioner of Food
and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services.
Page S1774
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 Jayanta Bhattacharya, of California, to be Director of
the National Institutes of Health.
Page S1774
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the
following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S1774
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to
consider the nomination.
Page S1774
Bishop Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the
nomination of James Bishop, of North Carolina, to be Deputy Director of
the Office of Management and Budget.
Page S1774
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 Martin Makary, of Virginia, to be Commissioner of Food
and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services.
Page S1774
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the
following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S1774
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to
consider the nomination.
Page S1774
Reitz Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination
of Aaron Reitz, of Texas, to be an Assistant Attorney General.
Page S1774
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 James Bishop, of North Carolina, to be Deputy Director of
the Office of Management and Budget.
Page S1774
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the
following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S1774
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to
consider the nomination.
Page S1774
Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:
By 59 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. EX. 126), Stephen Feinberg, of New
York, to be Deputy Secretary of Defense.
Pages S1753-55 S1786
During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the
following action:
By 56 yeas to 39 nays (Vote No. EX. 125), Senate agreed to the motion
to close further debate on the nomination.
Pages S1754-55
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Routine lists in the Marine Corps.
Page S1786
Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the
following nomination:
Adam Boehler, of Tennessee, to be Special Presidential Envoy for
Hostage Affairs, with the rank and status of Ambassador, which was sent
to the Senate on January 28, 2025
Page S1786
Messages from the House:
Page S1776
Measures Discharged:
Page S1776
Privileged Nominations Referred to Committee:
Page S1776
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S1776
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S1777-78
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S1778-83
Additional Statements:
Pages S1775-76
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S1783-85
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S1785
Record Votes: Eleven record votes were taken today. (Total--135)
Pages S1754-55, S1762, S1765, S1768-73
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:14 p.m.,
until 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (For Senate's program, see
the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page
S1786.)