[Senate Report 116-19]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
116th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 116-19
_______________________________________________________________________
R E P O R T
ON THE ACTIVITIES
of the
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
of the
UNITED STATES SENATE
during the
115th CONGRESS
pursuant to
Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules
of the
UNITED STATES SENATE
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
March 26, 2019.--Ordered to be printed
_________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
89-010 WASHINGTON : 2019
[115th Congress--Committee Membership]
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
ORRIN G. HATCH, Utah, Chairman
CHUCK GRASSLEY, Iowa RON WYDEN, Oregon
MIKE CRAPO, Idaho DEBBIE STABENOW, Michigan
PAT ROBERTS, Kansas MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
MICHAEL B. ENZI, Wyoming BILL NELSON, Florida
JOHN CORNYN, Texas ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware
RICHARD BURR, North Carolina BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland
JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
ROB PORTMAN, Ohio MICHAEL F. BENNET, Colorado
PATRICK J. TOOMEY, Pennsylvania ROBERT P. CASEY, Jr., Pennsylvania
DEAN HELLER, Nevada MARK R. WARNER, Virginia
TIM SCOTT, South Carolina CLAIRE McCASKILL, Missouri
BILL CASSIDY, Louisiana SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, Rhode
Island\1\
Chris Campbell, Staff Director\2\
A. Jay Khosla, Staff Director\3\
Jeffrey Wrase, Staff Director and Chief Economist\4\
Joshua Sheinkman, Democratic Staff Director
SUBCOMMITTEES
HEALTH CARE
PATRICK J. TOOMEY, Pennsylvania, Chairman
CHUCK GRASSLEY, Iowa DEBBIE STABENOW, Michigan
PAT ROBERTS, Kansas ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
MICHAEL B. ENZI, Wyoming MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware
RICHARD BURR, North Carolina BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland
JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
ROB PORTMAN, Ohio MARK R. WARNER, Virginia
DEAN HELLER, Nevada RON WYDEN, Oregon
BILL CASSIDY, Louisiana SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, Rhode
Island\5\
______
INTERNATIONAL TRADE, CUSTOMS, AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS
JOHN CORNYN, Texas, Chairman
CHUCK GRASSLEY, Iowa ROBERT P. CASEY, Jr., Pennsylvania
PAT ROBERTS, Kansas DEBBIE STABENOW, Michigan
JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia BILL NELSON, Florida
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota CLAIRE McCASKILL, Missouri
DEAN HELLER, Nevada BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland\6\
(ii)
ENERGY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
DEAN HELLER, Nevada, Chairman
CHUCK GRASSLEY, Iowa MICHAEL F. BENNET, Colorado
MIKE CRAPO, Idaho MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
MICHAEL B. ENZI, Wyoming BILL NELSON, Florida
JOHN CORNYN, Texas ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
RICHARD BURR, North Carolina THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware
TIM SCOTT, South Carolina MARK R. WARNER, Virginia
BILL CASSIDY, Louisiana SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, Rhode
Island\5\
______
SOCIAL SECURITY, PENSIONS, AND FAMILY POLICY
BILL CASSIDY, Louisiana, Chairman
ROB PORTMAN, Ohio SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
MIKE CRAPO, Idaho ROBERT P. CASEY, Jr., Pennsylvania
PATRICK J. TOOMEY, Pennsylvania
______
TAXATION AND IRS OVERSIGHT
ROB PORTMAN, Ohio, Chairman
MIKE CRAPO, Idaho MARK R. WARNER, Virginia
PAT ROBERTS, Kansas THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware
MICHAEL B. ENZI, Wyoming BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland
JOHN CORNYN, Texas CLAIRE McCASKILL, Missouri
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
RICHARD BURR, North Carolina MICHAEL F. BENNET, Colorado
JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia ROBERT P. CASEY, Jr., Pennsylvania
PATRICK J. TOOMEY, Pennsylvania MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
TIM SCOTT, South Carolina SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, Rhode
Island\5\
______
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
TIM SCOTT, South Carolina, Chairman
ORRIN G. HATCH, Utah RON WYDEN, Oregon
----------
\1\Joined the committee on January 9, 2018.
\2\Left the committee on August 4, 2017.
\3\Became staff director on August 4, 2017; left the committee on June
29, 2018.
\4\Became staff director on June 29, 2018.
\5\Joined the subcommittee on January 17, 2018.
\6\Joined the subcommittee on January 17, 2018.
(iii)
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
----------
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Finance,
Washington, DC, March 26, 2019.
Honorable Julie E. Adams,
Secretary, U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Secretary: In accordance with rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the United States Senate and the pertinent
unanimous consent order pertaining to this rule, I am
transmitting herewith a report on the activities of the
Committee on Finance of the United States Senate for the 115th
Congress.
Sincerely,
Chuck Grassley, Chairman.
(v)
C O N T E N T S
__________
Page
115th Congress--Committee Membership............................. ii
Letter of Transmittal............................................ v
Committee Jurisdiction........................................... 1
Rules of Procedure............................................... 2
Tax--Summary of Activities....................................... 5
Full Committee Hearings...................................... 5
Full Committee Executive Meetings............................ 7
Senators Only Meetings....................................... 7
Conference Committee......................................... 7
Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight................... 7
Trade--Summary of Activities..................................... 9
Full Committee Hearings...................................... 9
Full Committee Executive Meetings............................ 10
Senators Only Meetings....................................... 10
Senate Advisory Group on Negotiations........................ 11
Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global
Competitiveness............................................ 11
Health--Summary of Activities.................................... 13
Full Committee Hearings...................................... 14
Full Committee Executive Meetings............................ 17
Subcommittee on Health Care.................................. 17
Social Security--Summary of Activities........................... 19
Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy. 19
Oversight and Investigations--Summary of Activities.............. 21
Full Committee Hearing....................................... 22
Nominations...................................................... 23
Bills and Resolutions Referred to the Committee.................. 41
Reports, Prints, and Studies..................................... 43
Official Communications.......................................... 45
(vii)
116th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 116-19
======================================================================
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DURING THE 115TH
CONGRESS
_______
March 26, 2019.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Grassley, from the Committee on Finance, submitted the following
REPORT
This report reviews the legislative and oversight
activities of the Committee on Finance during the 115th
Congress. These activities parallel the broad scope of
responsibilities vested in the committee by the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended, rule XXV(k) of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, and additional authorizing
resolutions.
COMMITTEE JURISDICTION
Rule XXV(i) of the Standing Rules of the Senate requires
reference to this committee of all proposed legislation, and
other matters, dealing with (i) Committee on Finance, to which
committee shall be referred all proposed legislation, messages,
petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the
following subjects:
1. Bonded debt of the United States, except as
provided in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
2. Customs, collection districts, and ports of entry
and delivery.
3. Deposit of public moneys.
4. General revenue sharing.
5. Health programs under the Social Security Act and
health programs financed by a specific tax or trust
fund.
6. National social security.
7. Reciprocal trade agreements.
8. Revenue measures generally, except as provided in
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
9. Revenue measures relating to the insular
possessions.
10. Tariffs and import quotas, and matters related
thereto.
11. Transportation of dutiable goods.
(1)
COMMITTEE RULES
I. RULES OF PROCEDURE
Rule 1. Regular Meeting Days.--The regular meeting day of the
committee shall be the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, except
that if there be no business before the committee the regular meeting
shall be omitted.
Rule 2. Committee Meetings.--(a) Except as provided by paragraph 3
of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate (relating to special
meetings called by a majority of the committee) and subsection (b) of
this rule, committee meetings, for the conduct of business, for the
purpose of holding hearings, or for any other purpose, shall be called
by the chairman. Members will be notified of committee meetings at
least 48 hours in advance, unless the chairman determines that an
emergency situation requires a meeting on shorter notice. The
notification will include a written agenda together with materials
prepared by the staff relating to that agenda. After the agenda for a
committee meeting is published and distributed, no nongermane items may
be brought up during that meeting unless at least two-thirds of the
members present agree to consider those items.
(b) In the absence of the chairman, meetings of the committee may
be called by the ranking majority member of the committee who is
present, provided authority to call meetings has been delegated to such
member by the chairman.
Rule 3. Presiding Officer.--(a) The chairman shall preside at all
meetings and hearings of the committee except that in his absence the
ranking majority member who is present at the meeting shall preside.
(b) Notwithstanding the rule prescribed by subsection (a) any
member of the committee may preside over the conduct of a hearing.
Rule 4. Quorums.--(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) one-
third of the membership of the committee, including not less than one
member of the majority party and one member of the minority party,
shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.
(b) Notwithstanding the rule prescribed by subsection (a) one
member shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting a
hearing.
Rule 5. Reporting of Measures or Recommendations.--No measure or
recommendation shall be reported from the committee unless a majority
of the committee is actually present and a majority of those present
concur.
Rule 6. Proxy Voting; Polling.--(a) Except as provided by
paragraph 7(a)(3) of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate
(relating to limitation on use of proxy voting to report a measure or
matter), members who are unable to be present may have their vote
recorded by proxy.
(b) At the discretion of the committee, members who are unable to
be present and whose vote has not been cast by proxy may be polled for
the purpose of recording their vote on any rollcall taken by the
committee.
Rule 7. Order of Motions.--When several motions are before the
committee dealing with related or overlapping matters, the chairman may
specify the order in which the motions shall be voted upon.
Rule 8. Bringing a Matter to a Vote.--If the chairman determines
that a motion or amendment has been adequately debated, he may call for
a vote on such motion or amendment, and the vote shall then be taken,
unless the committee votes to continue debate on such motion or
amendment, as the case may be. The vote on a motion to continue debate
on any motion or amendment shall be taken without debate.
Rule 9. Public Announcement of Committee Votes.--Pursuant to
paragraph 7(b) of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate
(relating to public announcement of votes), the results of rollcall
votes taken by the committee on any measure (or amendment thereto) or
matter shall be announced publicly not later than the day on which such
measure or matter is ordered reported from the committee.
Rule 10. Subpoenas.--Subpoenas for attendance of witnesses and the
production of memoranda, documents, and records shall be issued by the
chairman, or by any other member of the committee designated by him.
Rule 11. Nominations.--In considering a nomination, the committee
may conduct an investigation or review of the nominee's experience,
qualifications, and suitability, to serve in the position to which he
or she has been nominated. To aid in such investigation or review, each
nominee may be required to submit a sworn detailed statement including
biographical, financial, policy, and other information which the
committee may request. The committee may specify which items in such
statement are to be received on a confidential basis. Witnesses called
to testify on the nomination may be required to testify under oath.
Rule 12. Open Committee Hearings.--To the extent required by
paragraph 5 of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate (relating
to limitations on open hearings), each hearing conducted by the
committee shall be open to the public.
Rule 13. Announcement of Hearings.--The committee shall undertake
consistent with the provisions of paragraph 4(a) of Rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate (relating to public notice of committee
hearings) to issue public announcements of hearings it intends to hold
at least one week prior to the commencement of such hearings.
Rule 14. Witnesses at Hearings.--(a) Each witness who is scheduled
to testify at any hearing must submit his written testimony to the
staff director not later than noon of the business day immediately
before the last business day preceding the day on which he is scheduled
to appear. Such written testimony shall be accompanied by a brief
summary of the principal points covered in the written testimony.
Having submitted his written testimony, the witness shall be allowed
not more than 10 minutes for oral presentation of his statement.
(b) Witnesses may not read their entire written testimony, but
must confine their oral presentation to a summarization of their
arguments.
(c) Witnesses shall observe proper standards of dignity, decorum,
and propriety while presenting their views to the committee. Any
witness who violates this rule shall be dismissed, and his testimony
(both oral and written) shall not appear in the record of the hearing.
(d) In scheduling witnesses for hearings, the staff shall attempt
to schedule witnesses so as to attain a balance of views early in the
hearings. Every member of the committee may designate witnesses who
will appear before the committee to testify. To the extent that a
witness designated by a member cannot be scheduled to testify during
the time set aside for the hearing, a special time will be set aside
for the witness to testify if the member designating that witness is
available at that time to chair the hearing.
Rule 15. Audiences.--Persons admitted into the audience for open
hearings of the committee shall conduct themselves with the dignity,
decorum, courtesy, and propriety traditionally observed by the Senate.
Demonstrations of approval or disapproval of any statement or act by
any member or witness are not allowed. Persons creating confusion or
distractions or otherwise disrupting the orderly proceeding of the
hearing shall be expelled from the hearing.
Rule 16. Broadcasting of Hearings.--(a) Broadcasting of open
hearings by television or radio coverage shall be allowed upon approval
by the chairman of a request filed with the staff director not later
than noon of the day before the day on which such coverage is desired.
(b) If such approval is granted, broadcasting coverage of the
hearing shall be conducted unobtrusively and in accordance with the
standards of dignity, propriety, courtesy, and decorum traditionally
observed by the Senate.
(c) Equipment necessary for coverage by television and radio
media shall not be installed in, or removed from, the hearing room
while the committee is in session.
(d) Additional lighting may be installed in the hearing room by
the media in order to raise the ambient lighting level to the lowest
level necessary to provide adequate television coverage of the hearing
at the then current state of the art of television coverage.
(e) The additional lighting authorized by subsection (d) of this
rule shall not be directed into the eyes of any members of the
committee or of any witness, and at the request of any such member or
witness, offending lighting shall be extinguished.
Rule 17. Subcommittees.--(a) The chairman, subject to the approval
of the committee, shall appoint legislative subcommittees. All
legislation shall be kept on the full committee calendar unless a
majority of the members present and voting agree to refer specific
legislation to an appropriate subcommittee.
(b) The chairman may limit the period during which House-passed
legislation referred to a subcommittee under paragraph (a) will remain
in that subcommittee. At the end of that period, the legislation will
be restored to the full committee calendar. The period referred to in
the preceding sentences should be 6 weeks, but may be extended in the
event that adjournment or a long recess is imminent.
(c) All decisions of the chairman are subject to approval or
modification by a majority vote of the committee.
(d) The full committee may at any time by majority vote of those
members present discharge a subcommittee from further consideration of
a specific piece of legislation.
(e) The chairman and ranking minority member shall serve as
nonvoting ex officio members of the subcommittees on which they do not
serve as voting members.
(f) Any member of the committee may attend hearings held by any
subcommittee and question witnesses testifying before that
subcommittee.
(g) Subcommittee meeting times shall be coordinated by the staff
director to ensure that--
(1) no subcommittee meeting will be held when the committee
is in executive session, except by unanimous consent;
(2) no more than one subcommittee will meet when the full
committee is holding hearings; and
(3) not more than two subcommittees will meet at the same
time.
Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3), a subcommittee may meet
when the full committee is holding hearings and two subcommittees may
meet at the same time only upon the approval of the chairman and the
ranking minority member of the committee and subcommittees involved.
(h) All nominations shall be considered by the full committee.
(i) The chairman will attempt to schedule reasonably frequent
meetings of the full committee to permit consideration of legislation
reported favorably to the committee by the subcommittees.
Rule 18. Transcripts of Committee Meetings.--An accurate record
shall be kept of all markups of the committee, whether they be open or
closed to the public. A transcript, marked as ``uncorrected,'' shall be
available for inspection by members of the Senate, or members of the
committee together with their staffs, at any time. Not later than 21
business days after the meeting occurs, the committee shall make
publicly available through the Internet--
(a) a video recording;
(b) an audio recording; or
(c) after all members of the committee have had a reasonable
opportunity to correct their remarks for grammatical errors or to
accurately reflect statements, a corrected transcript.
Notwithstanding the above, in the case of the record of an
executive session of the committee that is closed to the public
pursuant to Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the record
shall not be published or made public in any way except by majority
vote of the committee after all members of the committee have had a
reasonable opportunity to correct their remarks for grammatical errors
or to accurately reflect statements made.
Rule 19. Amendment of Rules.--The foregoing rules may be added to,
modified, amended, or suspended at any time.
TAX
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
In the 115th Congress, the Senate Finance Committee
reported major legislation reforming and reducing taxes in the
United States Internal Revenue Code, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,
which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, as ``An Act to
provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the
concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.'' The
committee also played a leading role in preventing tax cuts
from expiring for American families and businesses.
A series of hearings held by the Senate Finance Committee
during the 115th Congress examined policy options related to
comprehensive tax reform, individual taxation, business
taxation, international taxation and tax administration, and
also examined the impact of tax legislation.
Full Committee Hearings
2017
April 6, 2017--``The 2017 Tax Filing Season: Internal Revenue
Service Operations and the Taxpayer Experience.'' This
hearing examined issues related to the 2017 tax filing
season, including IRS performance, customer service
challenges, and information technology. Testimony was heard
from the Honorable John Koskinen, Commissioner, Internal
Revenue Service, Washington, DC.
May 25, 2017--``Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Proposals for the
Department of Treasury and Tax Reform.'' The hearing
covered the President's 2018 Budget and touched on
operations of the Department of Treasury and Tax Reform.
Testimony was heard from the Honorable Steven Mnuchin,
Secretary of the Treasury, United States Department of the
Treasury, Washington, DC.
July 18, 2017--``Comprehensive Tax Reform: Prospects and
Challenges.'' The hearing covered issues surrounding
potential tax reform plans including individual, business,
and international proposals. Testimony was heard from the
Honorable Jonathan Talisman, former Assistant Secretary for
Tax Policy 2000-2001, United States Department of the
Treasury, Washington, DC; the Honorable Pamela F. Olson,
former Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy 2002-2004, United
States Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC; the
Honorable Eric Solomon, former Assistant Secretary for Tax
Policy 2006-2009, United States Department of the Treasury,
Washington, DC; and the Honorable Mark J. Mazur, former
Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy 2012-2017, United States
Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC.
August 1, 2017--``America's Affordable Housing Crisis:
Challenges and Solutions.'' This hearing addressed the
Nation's affordable housing crisis and how a bipartisan
solution could be reached to provide assistance to the
American people. Testimony was heard from Mr. Daniel
Garcia-Diaz, Director, Financial Markets and Community
Investment, United States Government Accountability Office,
Washington, DC; Mr. Grant S. Whitaker, president, National
Council of State Housing Agencies, Washington, DC; the
Honorable Katherine M. O'Regan, Ph.D., professor of public
policy and planning, and faculty director, Furman Center
for Real Estate and Urban Policy, Robert F. Wagner Graduate
School of Public Service, New York University, New York,
NY; Mr. Kirk McClure, Ph.D., professor, Urban Planning
Program, School of Public Policy and Administration,
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Kansas,
Lawrence, KS; and Mr. Granger MacDonald, chairman of the
board of directors, National Association of Home Builders,
Washington, DC.
September 14, 2017--``Individual Tax Reform.'' The hearing
covered issues surrounding potential plans relating to
individual tax reform. Testimony was heard from Mr. Alex
Brill, research fellow, American Enterprise Institute,
Washington, DC; Ms. Iona C. Harrison, senior vice
president, Pioneer Realty, Upper Marlboro, MD; Ms. Lily
Batchelder, professor of law and public policy at New York
University School of Law and affiliated professor at New
York University Wagner School of Public Service, New York
University, New York, NY; and Mr. Ramesh Ponnuru, visiting
fellow, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC.
September 19, 2017--``Business Tax Reform.'' The hearing
covered issues surrounding potential plans relating to
business tax reform. Testimony was heard from Mr. Scott A.
Hodge, president, Tax Foundation, Washington, DC; Donald B.
Marron, Ph.D., institute fellow, Urban Institute and Urban-
Brookings Tax Policy Center, Washington, DC; Mr. Troy K.
Lewis, CPA, CGMA, immediate past chair, tax executive
committee, American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, Provo, UT; and Mr. Jeffrey D. DeBoer,
president and chief executive officer, the Real Estate
Roundtable, Washington, DC.
October 3, 2017--``International Tax Reform.'' The hearing
covered issues surrounding potential plans relating to
international tax reform. Testimony was heard from Mr. Bret
Wells, professor of law and George Butler research
professor of law, Law Center, University of Houston,
Houston, TX; Kimberly Clausing, Ph.D., Thormund A. Miller
and Walter Mintz professor of economics, Reed College,
Portland, OR; Mr. Stephen E. Shay, senior lecturer on law,
Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; and
Mr. Itai Grinberg, professor of law, Georgetown University
Law Center, Washington, DC.
2018
February 14, 2018--``President's Fiscal Year 2019 Budget.'' The
hearing covered the President's 2019 Budget. Testimony was
heard from the Honorable Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of the
Treasury, United States Department of the Treasury,
Washington, DC.
February 14, 2018--``President's Fiscal Year 2019 Budget.'' The
hearing covered the President's 2019 Budget and touched on
operations of the Department of Treasury. Testimony was
heard from the Honorable David J. Kautter, Acting
Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service, and Assistant
Secretary for Tax Policy, United States Department of the
Treasury, Washington, DC.
April 12, 2018--``The 2018 Tax Filing Season and Future IRS
Challenges.'' The hearing examined the operations of the
Internal Revenue Service and challenges they face in the
future. Testimony was heard from the Honorable David J.
Kautter, Acting Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service, and
Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, United States
Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC.
April 24, 2018--``Early Impressions of the New Tax Law.'' The
hearing examined the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Testimony was heard from Mr. David K. Cranston, Jr.,
president, Cranston Material Handling Equipment
Corporation, McKees Rocks, PA; Mr. David Kamin, professor
of law, New York University School of Law, New York, NY;
Ms. Rebecca Kysar, professor of law, Brooklyn Law School,
New York, NY; and Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president,
American Action Forum, Washington, DC.
Full Committee Executive Meetings
2017
November 13, 2017--Open Executive Session to consider an
original bill entitled ``The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.''
November 14, 2017--Continuation of the Open Executive Session
to consider an original bill entitled ``The Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act.''
November 15, 2017--Continuation of the Open Executive Session
to consider an original bill entitled ``The Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act.''
November 16, 2017--Continuation of the Open Executive Session
to consider an original bill entitled ``The Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act.''
Senators Only Meetings
2017
May 17, 2017--Full Committee Members' Meeting with Secretary of
the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and National Economic Council
Director Gary Cohn to discuss tax reform.
September 13, 2017--Full Committee Members' Meeting on tax
reform.
Conference Committee
2017
December 13, 2017--Conference Committee Session on H.R. 1, the
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight
July 26, 2018--``Improving Tax Administration Today.'' This
hearing addressed IRS oversight challenges and how Congress
may assist the Department with legislation moving forward.
Testimony was heard from Ms. Caroline Bruckner, managing
director, Kogod Tax Policy Center, American University,
Washington, DC; Ms. Phyllis Jo Kubey, member, National
Association of Enrolled Agents and IRS Advisory Council,
Washington, DC; Ms. Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer
Advocate, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, DC; Mr.
John Sapp, chair, Electronic Tax Administration Advisory
Committee, Washington, DC; and Ms. Rebecca Thompson,
project director, Taxpayer Opportunity Network, Prosperity
Now, Washington, DC.
TRADE
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
In the 115th Congress, the Senate Finance Committee sought
to enact policies to expand trade and investment-related
opportunities for American businesses and to advise the
administration on the conduct of trade policy. The committee
directed and oversaw the miscellaneous tariff bill petition and
review process, and passed into law the Miscellaneous Tariff
Bill Act to temporarily remove and reduce tariffs on inputs for
American manufacturing. The committee also guided passage of an
extension of the Generalized System of Preferences program to
December 31, 2020. The committee advised and conducted
oversight of the administration's trade actions, including
negotiations with Canada and Mexico on the modernization of
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The committee also
examined a number of the administration's tariff actions,
particularly those pursuant to section 232 of the Trade
Expansion Act of 1962, and section 301 of the Trade Act of
1974. The committee held several hearings to examine the
successes and challenges of U.S. trade policies and to assess
opportunities to improve and increase trade.
Full Committee Hearings
2017
June 21, 2017--``President's Trade Policy Agenda and Fiscal
Year 2018 Budget.'' The committee examined the President's
trade priorities for 2017, including the negotiations with
Canada and Mexico to modernize NAFTA and the
administration's adherence to the standards set by Trade
Promotion Authority. The committee also examined the
administration's plans on enforcing the United States trade
laws. The Honorable Robert Lighthizer, United States Trade
Representative, testified.
2018
March 6, 2018--``Protecting E-commerce Consumers from
Counterfeits.'' The committee examined the proliferation of
counterfeits being sold online, the efforts by U.S. Customs
and Border Protection and other Federal agencies to detect
and prevent their importation, and the possible options to
safeguard the health and safety of Americans who shop
online. The committee heard testimony from Ms. Kimberly
Gianopoulos, Director, International Affairs and Trade,
United States Government Accountability Office; Ms. Brenda
B. Smith, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of
Trade, United States Customs and Border Protection; Mr. Jim
Joholske, Director, Office of Import Surveillance, United
States Consumer Product Safety Commission; and Mr. Terrence
R. Brady, president, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
March 22, 2018--``President's 2018 Trade Policy Agenda.'' The
committee examined the President's trade agenda for 2018,
including the ongoing negotiations with Canada and Mexico
to modernize NAFTA, the pursuance of new trade deals, the
administration's use of tariffs, and the extension of Trade
Promotion Authority. The committee heard testimony from the
Honorable Robert Lighthizer, United States Trade
Representative, Executive Office of the President,
Washington, DC.
June 20, 2018--``Current and Proposed Tariff Actions
Administered by the Department of Commerce.'' The committee
examined current and proposed tariff actions administered
by the Department of Commerce, including the process for
excluding products, and the impact and potential impact on
U.S. businesses and consumers. The committee heard
testimony from the Honorable Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.,
Secretary, United States Department of Commerce,
Washington, DC.
September 26, 2018--``Impact of Tariffs on the U.S. Automotive
Industry.'' The committee examined the potential effects of
additional tariffs on automobiles and automotive parts on
families, job creators, and U.S. economic growth. The
committee heard testimony from Mr. H. David Britt, chairman
of economic development, Spartanburg County Council Member,
Spartanburg, SC; Mr. Steve Gates, dealer principal, Gates
Auto Family, Richmond, KY; Mr. Michael Haughey, president
and CEO, North American Stamping Group, Portland, TN; Mr.
Josh Nassar, legislative director, United Auto Workers,
Detroit, MI; and Mr. Rick Schostek, executive vice
president, Honda North America, Inc., Marysville, OH.
Full Committee Executive Meetings
2017
April 25, 2017--Open Executive Session to consider an original
resolution waiving certain provisions of the Trade Act of
1974 relating to the appointment of the United States Trade
Representative. The committee considered a motion to waive
section 21(b) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Pub.
L. 104-65) which amended section 141(b) of the Trade Act of
1974 pursuant to the nomination of Robert Lighthizer to the
position of United States Trade Representative.
Senators Only Meetings
2017
February 15, 2017--Full Committee Members' Meeting with
Representatives of the administration to discuss the
administration's trade agenda.
May 16, 2017--Full Committee Members' Meeting with United
States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Commerce
Secretary Wilber Ross to discuss the administration's trade
agenda.
July 23, 2017--Full Committee Members' Meeting with Commerce
Secretary Wilber L. Ross, Jr., to discuss the Department's
section 232 investigations of steel and aluminum imports.
2018
September 27, 2018--Full Committee Members' Meeting with the
United States Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, for
consultations on the negotiations with Canada and Mexico to
modernize NAFTA.
October 10, 2018--Full Committee Members' Meeting with United
States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to consult on
potential trade negotiations with the United Kingdom, the
European Union, and Japan.
Senate Advisory Group on Negotiations
2017
January 27, 2017--Meeting of the Senate Advisory Group on
Negotiations, as required by section 104(c)(1) of the
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and
Accountability Act of 2015.
May 17, 2017--Meeting of the Senate Advisory Committee on
Negotiations to consult with Ambassador Robert Lighthizer
on negotiations with Canada and Mexico on the modernization
of NAFTA.
2018
October 10, 2018--Meeting of the Senate Advisory Committee on
Negotiations to consult with Ambassador Robert Lighthizer
on potential trade negotiations with the United Kingdom,
the European Union, and Japan.
Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs,
and Global Competitiveness
2017
November 20, 2017--Field hearing entitled ``Modernization of
the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).'' The
subcommittee examined the importance of NAFTA to the
economy of the United States. The subcommittee questioned
the administration as well as stakeholders in the trade
community that rely on NAFTA. Testimony was heard from Mr.
Stephen P. Vaughn, General Counsel, United States Trade
Representative, Executive Office of the President,
Washington, DC; Mr. Mitch Bainwol, CEO and president,
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Washington, DC; Ms.
Paola Avila, chair, Border Trade Alliance, San Diego, CA;
Mr. Richard Perez, CEO and president, San Antonio Chamber
of Commerce, San Antonio, TX; Mr. Jeff Moseley, chief
executive officer, Texas Association of Business, Austin,
TX; Mr. Russell Boening, president, Texas Farm Bureau,
Waco, TX; and the Honorable Todd Staples, president, Texas
Oil and Gas Association, Austin, TX.
2018
February 16, 2018--Field hearing entitled ``Trade Enforcement
and Infrastructure: Safeguarding Our Industrial Base From
Present and Future Challenges.'' The subcommittee examined
how trade tools can be used to address global overcapacity
of steel and aluminum production. Testimony was heard from
Mr. Scott Paul, president, Alliance for American
Manufacturing, Washington, DC; Mr. Rick Galiano, president,
Beaver Lawrence Labor Council, New Castle, PA; Ms. Petra
Mitchell, president and CEO, Catalyst Connection,
Pittsburgh, PA; and Mr. Todd Young, managing director,
Governmental Affairs, United States Steel Corporation,
Pittsburgh, PA.
April 11, 2018--``Market Access Challenges in China.'' The
subcommittee heard testimony regarding the difficulties
American businesses face in China, and how China has used
the international trading system to its advantage while
unfairly disadvantaging U.S. businesses. Testimony was
heard from Mr. Dean C. Garfield, president and CEO,
Information Technology Industry Council, Washington, DC;
Ms. Christine Bliss, president, Coalition of Services
Industries, Washington, DC; Ms. Linda Dempsey, vice
president, International Economic Affairs Policy, National
Association of Manufacturers, Washington, DC; and Ms. Thea
M. Lee, president, Economic Policy Institute, Washington,
DC.
July 18, 2018--``Trade and Commerce at U.S. Ports of Entry.''
The subcommittee examined the importance and challenges of
trade and commerce at U.S. ports of entry. Testimony was
heard from the Honorable Kevin K. McAleenan, Commissioner,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Washington, DC; Mr.
Sergio Contreras, vice chairman, Border Trade Alliance,
Weslaco, TX; the Honorable Pete Saenz, Mayor, City of
Laredo, and chairman, Texas Border Coalition, Austin, TX;
Mr. Kurt J. Nagle, president and chief executive officer,
American Association of Port Authorities, Alexandria, VA;
and Ms. Mary Ann Bucci, Executive Director, Port of
Pittsburgh Commission, Pittsburgh, PA.
HEALTH
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
During the course of the 115th Congress, the committee
focused on improving the Medicare and Medicaid programs for
beneficiaries and providers alike. The committee held a hearing
on and unanimously reported the bipartisan Creating High-
Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic
(CHRONIC) Care Act of 2017 (S. 870), that included important
changes to strengthen the Medicare program and improve outcomes
for Medicare beneficiaries living with chronic conditions. The
CHRONIC Care Act is the culmination of a bipartisan, committee-
wide effort that included robust engagement with and feedback
from stakeholders. This legislation will improve disease
management and streamline care coordination services.
Addressing these issues is essential for improving health
outcomes for the increasing number of Medicare beneficiaries
who live with multiple chronic conditions and those who will
age into the Medicare program over the coming years. The bill
makes improvements that facilitate more coordinated and
effective care in traditional fee-for-service Medicare,
Medicare Advantage (MA), and Accountable Care Organizations
(ACOs). This bill was combined with similar House legislation
and included in the Bipartisan Budget Act (Pub. L. 115-123).
The committee also held a hearing to address the need to
extend funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program
(CHIP). Following the hearing, the committee held an executive
session to consider the Keep Kids' Insurance Dependable and
Secure (KIDS) Act of 2017 (S. 1827), which was approved by
voice vote. This bill served as the basis for a 6-year
extension of CHIP funding included in Public Law 115-120, and
another 4-year extension in the Bipartisan Budget Act (Pub. L.
115-119). The combined 10-year CHIP extension represents the
longest funding extension in the program's history.
The committee also held a hearing to examine ways to
improve health care service delivery in rural and frontier
America. This hearing highlighted the unique challenges rural
and frontier providers face in delivering high-quality health-
care services in isolated communities. It also examined the
data-driven trends in rural research today and identified
targeted legislative solutions that the committee may want to
explore in the future.
Additionally, the committee passed key human services
priorities into law that were included in the Bipartisan Budget
Act. These include the Family First Prevention Services Act,
which helps States provide evidence-based services to prevent
children from entering foster care and reduce inappropriate use
of congregate care and group home facilities; the Social Impact
Partnerships to Pay for Results Act, which supports innovative
public-private partnerships to address critical social
challenges; and the reauthorization of the Maternal, Infant,
and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program to support
evidence-based home visiting programs for at-risk families.
The committee also focused on addressing the opioid
epidemic. The committee held a hearing on ways to address
opioid and substance use disorder in Medicare and Medicaid--the
largest payers of treatment services--and human services
programs. Members of the committee introduced 22 bills that
were combined into the Helping to End Addiction and Lessen
(HEAL) Substance Use Disorders Act of 2018 (S. 3120). The bill
improves the identification of opioid use disorder and other
substance use disorders, promotes information on alternative,
non-opioid treatment options, expands access to evidence-based
treatment services, and increases information to prescribers.
This bill was reported favorably out of the committee with a
roll call vote of 27 ayes and 0 nays, included in the Opioid
Crisis Response Act that passed the Senate, and then combined
with similar House legislation to become Public Law 115-271 on
October 24, 2018. The committee unanimously discharged a bill,
S. 1732, the Improving Access to Behavioral Health Information
Technology Act, as modified, that promotes the testing of
incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption
and use of certified electronic health record technology
through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI).
This measure passed the Senate by unanimous consent and was
included in Public Law 115-271.
Finally, the committee held a hearing on opportunities for
increasing the affordability of prescriptions drugs while
continuing to foster innovation. The committee unanimously
discharged a bill, S. 2553, the Know the Lowest Price Act, as
modified, that bans Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
sponsors from prohibiting pharmacies from informing a
beneficiary when the cost of the prescription is less than the
cost sharing required under the plan. This measure passed the
Senate by unanimous consent and became Public Law 115-262.
Full Committee Hearings
2017
May 16, 2017--``Examining Bipartisan Medicare Policies That
Improve Care for Patients With Chronic Conditions.'' The
purpose of this hearing was to examine how current Medicare
chronic care coordination programs are working today, to
learn about the barriers in Medicare to coordinate care for
chronically ill beneficiaries, and--most importantly--to
discuss policies included in the Creating High-Quality
Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC)
Care Act of 2017 (S. 870) designed to address these
barriers. Specifically, the witnesses explored the CHRONIC
Care Act's new approaches to improve the delivery of high-
quality, coordinated medical care to Medicare beneficiaries
living with multiple chronic conditions. Testimony was
received from the Honorable Brian Schatz, United States
Senator, Hawaii; the Honorable Roger F. Wicker, United
States Senator, Mississippi; Ms. Katherine Hayes, director
of health policy, Bipartisan Policy Center, Washington, DC;
Dr. Lee H. Schwamm, professor of neurology, Harvard Medical
School, director of acute stroke services, and director of
Partners TeleStroke Center, Massachusetts General Hospital,
on behalf of the American Heart Association/American Stroke
Association, Dallas, TX; Mr. John G. Lovelace, president,
Government Programs and Individual Advantage and president,
UPMC for You, UPMC Insurance Services Division, UPMC Health
Plan, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh,
PA; and Mr. Stephen Rosenthal, senior vice president,
Population Health Management, Montefiore Health System,
Yonkers, NY.
June 8, 2017--``President's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget.'' The
purpose of this hearing was to consider the President's
fiscal year 2018 budget for the Department of Health and
Human Services. Testimony was received from the Honorable
Thomas E. Price, M.D., Secretary, United States Department
of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
September 7, 2017--``The Children's Health Insurance Program:
The Path Forward.'' The purpose of this hearing was to
provide background on the history of the Children's Health
Insurance Program (CHIP), give an overview of the program's
success over the years, and highlight the need to extend
funding for the program. Testimony was received from Ms.
Leanna George, mother of a CHIP recipient, Johnston County,
NC; Dr. Anne L. Schwartz, Executive Director, Medicaid and
CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Washington, DC; and Ms.
Linda Nablo, Chief Deputy Director, Virginia Department of
Medical Assistance Services, Richmond, VA.
September 12, 2017--``Health Care: Issues Impacting Cost and
Coverage.'' The purpose of this hearing was to address the
issues impacting the cost of health care and coverage.
Testimony was received from Mr. Avik Roy, co-founder and
president, Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity,
Austin, TX; Mr. Ed Haislmaier, Preston A. Wells, Jr. senior
research fellow, The Heritage Foundation, Washington, DC;
Mr. Andy Slavitt, former Acting Administrator, Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services, Edina, MN; and Ms. Aviva
Aron-Dine, senior fellow and senior counselor, Center on
Budget and Policy Priorities, Washington, DC.
September 25, 2017--``Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson Proposal.''
The purpose of this hearing was to evaluate a proposal to
repeal the Affordable Care Act and block-grant health-care
funding to the States. Testimony was received from the
Honorable Lindsey Graham, United States Senator, South
Carolina; the Honorable Mazie Hirono, United States
Senator, Hawaii; the Honorable Bill Cassidy, United States
Senator, Louisiana; the Honorable Rick Santorum, former
United States Senator, Pennsylvania; Mr. Dennis G. Smith,
Senior Advisor for Medicaid and Health Care Reform,
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Little Rock, AR; Ms.
Teresa Miller, Acting Secretary, Department of Human
Services, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA; Ms.
Cindy Mann, former Deputy Administrator and Director of the
Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services, United States Department of Health
and Human Services, Washington, DC; and Mr. Dick Woodruff,
senior vice president, Federal advocacy, American Cancer
Society Cancer Action Network, Washington, DC.
2018
February 15, 2018--``President's Fiscal Year 2019 Budget.'' The
purpose of this hearing was to consider the President's
fiscal year 2019 budget for the Department of Health and
Human Services. Testimony was received from the Honorable
Alex M. Azar II, Secretary, United States Department of
Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
April 19, 2018--``Tackling Opioid and Substance Use Disorders
in Medicare, Medicaid, and Human Services Programs.'' The
purpose of the hearing was to consider how Medicare,
Medicaid, and human services programs can better address
the opioid crisis and substance use disorders. Testimony
was received from Adm. Brett P. Giroir, Assistant Secretary
for Health and Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary
for Mental Health and Opioid Policy, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Washington, DC; and Ms. Kimberly
Brandt, Principal Deputy Administrator for Operations,
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
May 24, 2018--``Rural Health Care in America: Challenges and
Opportunities.'' The purposes of this hearing were to (1)
highlight the unique challenges rural and frontier
providers face in delivering high-quality health-care
services in isolated communities, (2) understand the data-
driven trends in rural research today, and (3) identify
targeted legislative solutions that the committee may want
to explore in the future. Testimony was received from Dr.
George H. Pink, Humana distinguished professor and deputy
director, NC Rural Health Research Program, Sheps Center
for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; Dr. Keith J. Mueller,
interim dean, College of Public Health, Gerhard Hartman
professor in health management and policy, director, RUPRI
Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, and chair, RUPRI
Health Panel, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; Ms. Konnie
Martin, chief executive officer, San Luis Valley Health,
Alamosa, CO; Ms. Susan K. Thompson, MS, BSN, RN, senior
vice president of integration and optimization, and chief
executive officer, UnityPoint Accountable Care, UnityPoint
Health, West Des Moines, IA; and Dr. Karen M. Murphy,
executive vice president, chief innovation officer, and
founding director, Glenn Steele Institute of Health
Innovation, Geisinger, Danville, PA.
June 26, 2018--``Prescription Drug Affordability and
Innovation: Addressing Challenges in Today's Market.'' The
purpose of the hearing was to address strategies in
fostering prescription drug affordability and innovation.
Testimony was received from the Honorable Alex M. Azar II,
Secretary, United States Department of Health and Human
Services, Washington, DC.
Full Committee Executive Meetings
2017
May 18, 2017--Open Executive Session to consider the Creating
High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve
Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2017 (S. 870), a bill to
strengthen the Medicare program and improve health outcomes
for Medicare beneficiaries living with chronic conditions.
October 4, 2017--Open Executive Session to consider the Keep
Kids' Insurance Dependable and Secure (KIDS) Act (S. 1827),
a bill to extend funding for the Children's Health
Insurance Program (CHIP) for 5 years.
2018
June 12, 2018--Open Executive Session to consider the Helping
to End Addiction and Lessen (HEAL) Substance Use Disorders
Act of 2018 (S. 3120), an original bill to improve how
Medicare, Medicaid, and human services programs respond to
the opioid crisis.
Subcommittee on Health Care
May 29, 2018--Field hearing entitled ``Examining Efforts to
Prevent Opioid Overutilization and Misuse in Medicare and
Medicaid.'' The purpose of this hearing was to address the
prevention of overutilization and misuse of opioids in
Medicare and Medicaid. Testimony was received from Dr. Mary
Denigan-Macauley, Acting Director, Health Care, United
States Government Accountability Office, Washington, DC;
Ms. Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Philadelphia
Regional Office, Office of the Inspector General, United
States Department of Health and Human Services,
Philadelphia, PA; Dr. Richard Snyder, senior vice president
and chief medical and clinical care transformation officer,
Independence Blue Cross, Philadelphia, PA; Ms. Heather
Malone, person in recovery, Media, PA; and Mr. Mathew D.
Weintraub, District Attorney, Bucks County, Doylestown, PA.
SOCIAL SECURITY
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
In the 115th Congress, the Senate Committee on Finance
activities with respect to the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance
(OASI) program and Disability Insurance (DI) program--``Social
Security''--were limited to oversight and activities to
consider the President's nominations of two individuals: Gail
S. Ennis to be Inspector General of Social Security, and Andrew
M. Saul to be Commissioner of Social Security. The Social
Security, Pensions, and Family Policy Subcommittee held a paid
family leave hearing to examine proposed modifications to the
Family and Medical Leave Act.
Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions,
and Family Policy
2018
July 11, 2018--``Examining the Importance of Paid Family Leave
for American Working Families.'' The purpose of this
hearing was to examine a paid family leave benefit for
working families to improve health outcomes, help families
manage work and home responsibilities, and create
incentives to increase workforce retention. Testimony was
received from the Honorable Joni Ernst, United States
Senator, Iowa; the Honorable Kirsten E. Gillibrand, United
States Senator, New York; Dr. Andrew G. Biggs, resident
scholar, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC; Ms.
Vicki Shabo, vice president for workplace policies and
strategies, National Partnership for Women and Families,
Washington, DC; and Ms. Carolyn O' Boyle, managing
director, Deloitte Services, LLP, Boston, MA.
OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
In the 115th Congress, the Senate Committee on Finance
activities with respect to oversight and investigations
included: (1) ongoing oversight of the activities of the
Internal Revenue Service; (2) investigations pertaining to the
importation of counterfeit consumer goods and pharmaceuticals;
(3) oversight of the activities of the Department of Health and
Human Services, including questions regarding abuse and neglect
at nursing homes, opioid-related fatalities, emergency
preparedness at nursing homes, the 340B Drug Pricing Program,
and other matters; and (4) oversight of the activities of the
Treasury Department.
On October 17, 2017, Chairman Hatch and Ranking Member
Wyden released a bipartisan oversight report titled: An
Examination of Foster Care in the United States and the Use of
Privatization. This report culminated a 2\1/2\-year
investigation examining the increasing practice of States
tasking private entities (for-profit and non-profit) to protect
our Nation's most vulnerable children: those in foster care. As
a result of the investigation's findings, the chairman and
ranking member also introduced legislation, the Child Welfare
Oversight and Accountability Act of 2017 (S. 1964), to address
issues raised by the report. The committee's investigation
originally launched in April 2015 with inquiries sent to the
Governors of all 50 states. Bipartisan staff analysis found
flaws in data collection and oversight structures at both the
State and Federal levels, making it difficult and sometimes
impossible to monitor the operations of the child welfare
system, especially its private providers such as the MENTOR
Network. The report summarizes the committee's findings.
Additionally, committee staff made a series of bipartisan
recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS), the States, and to Congress addressing the shortcomings
identified in the report.
On June 26, 2017, the Minority released a report, ``A
Tangled Web--An Examination of the Drug Supply and Payment
Chain,'' which detailed a year-long investigation examining how
different parts of the drug supply chain affect prices Medicare
recipients pay for prescription drugs. The investigation
examined the roles drug manufacturers, wholesale distributors,
pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), plan sponsors, and pharmacies
play in prescription drug pricing, as well as the role that key
policies in Part B and Part D play in the marketplace.
After a year-long investigation, the Minority staff issued
a report--``Sheltering in Danger: How Poor Emergency Planning
and Response Put Nursing Home Residents at Risk During
Hurricanes Harvey and Irma''--in November 2019. The report
focused on lessons learned from these events and changes that
should be made to current regulations and guidance, notably
those of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS),
to better protect long-term care residents in the event of
emergencies.
Full Committee Hearing
March 6, 2018--``Protecting E-commerce Consumers from
Counterfeits.'' Hearing to examine the problem of
counterfeit consumer goods in e-commerce, and how the
Federal Government might better coordinate efforts to
protect intellectual property and prevent related dangers.
Testimony was heard from Ms. Kimberly Gianopoulos,
Director, International Affairs and Trade, United States
Government Accountability Office, Washington, DC; Ms.
Brenda B. Smith, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office
of Trade, United States Customs and Border Protection,
Washington, DC; Mr. Jim Joholske, Director, Office of
Import Surveillance, United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission, Washington, DC; and Mr. Terrence R. Brady,
president, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, IL.
NOMINATIONS
Michael P. Leary, of Pennsylvania, to be Inspector General,
Social Security Administration, vice Patrick P.
O'Carroll, Jr., resigned.
January 4, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred
sequentially to the Committee on Finance; when
reported by the Committee on Finance, pursuant to
an order of January 7, 2009, to be sequentially
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs for 20 calendar days.
February 28, 2017: Received message of withdrawal of
nomination from the President.
Jason E. Kearns, of Colorado, to be a member of the United
States International Trade Commission for the term
expiring December 16, 2024, vice Dean A. Pinkert, term
expired.
January 17, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
February 28, 2017: Received message of withdrawal of
nomination from the President.
Steven T. Mnuchin, of California, to be Secretary of the
Treasury.
January 19, 2017: Senate Committee on Finance. Hearings held
prior to introduction and/or referral. Hearings
printed: S. Hrg. 115-214.
January 20, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
February 1, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
February 1, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
February 1, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 12. Subject to nominee's commitment to
respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
February 2, 2017: Motion to proceed to executive session to
consideration of nomination agreed to in Senate by
Yea-Nay vote, 51-48. Record vote number: 48.
February 2, 2017: Considered by Senate.
February 2, 2017: Cloture motion presented in Senate.
February 10, 2017: Considered by Senate.
February 10, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory
quorum under Rule XXII waived.
February 10, 2017: Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
53-46. Record vote number: 62.
February 10, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, debate and
vote February 13, 2017.
February 10, 2017: Considered by Senate.
February 13, 2017: Considered by Senate.
February 13, 2017: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
53-47. Record vote number: 63.
Thomas Price, of Georgia, to be Secretary of Health and Human
Services.
January 20, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 24, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
Hearings printed: S. Hrg. 115-229.
February 1, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
February 1, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
February 1, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 13. Subject to nominee's commitment to
respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
February 2, 2017: Motion to proceed to executive session to
consideration of nomination agreed to in Senate by
Yea-Nay vote, 51-48. Record vote number: 46.
February 2, 2017: Considered by Senate.
February 2, 2017: Cloture motion presented in Senate.
February 8, 2017: Considered by Senate.
February 8, 2017: Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
51-48. Record vote number: 60.
February 8, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, debate and
vote February 9, 2017.
February 9, 2017: Considered by Senate.
February 10, 2017: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
52-47. Record vote number: 61.
Robert Lighthizer, of Florida, to be United States Trade
Representative, with the rank of Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
January 20, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
March 14, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held. Hearings
printed: S. Hrg. 115-164.
April 25, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
April 25, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
April 25, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 52. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
May 9, 2017: Considered by Senate.
May 9, 2017: Cloture motion presented in Senate.
May 9, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum
under Rule XXII waived.
May 10, 2017: Considered by Senate.
May 10, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, debate May 11,
2017.
May 11, 2017: Considered by Senate.
May 11, 2017: Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay vote, 81-
15. Record vote number: 126.
May 11, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote
May 11, 2017.
May 11, 2017: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay vote, 82-14.
Record vote number: 127.
Seema Verma, of Indiana, to be Administrator of the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services, vice Marilyn B.
Tavenner.
January 20, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
February 16, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
Hearings printed: S. Hrg. 115-233.
March 1, 2017: Committee on Finance. Began consideration but
did not complete action thereon.
March 2, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
March 2, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
March 2, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 18. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
March 7, 2017: Considered by Senate.
March 7, 2017: Cloture motion presented in Senate.
March 7, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory
quorum under Rule XXII waived.
March 8, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, debate and
vote March 9, 2017.
March 9, 2017: Considered by Senate.
March 9, 2017: Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay vote, 54-
44. Record vote number: 85.
March 9, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, debate and
vote March 13, 2017.
March 13, 2017: Considered by Senate.
March 13, 2017: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay vote, 55-
43. Record vote number: 86.
David Malpass, of New York, to be an Under Secretary of the
Treasury, vice D. Nathan Sheets.
March 21, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
June 7, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held. Hearings
printed: S. Hrg. 115-245.
June 14, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
June 14, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
June 14, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 111. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
August 3, 2017: Considered by Senate.
August 3, 2017: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Eric D. Hargan, of Illinois, to be Deputy Secretary of Health
and Human Services, vice William V. Corr, resigned.
April 6, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
June 7, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held. Hearings
printed: S. Hrg. 115-245.
June 14, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
June 14, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
June 14, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 112. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
October 2, 2017: Motion to proceed to executive session to
consideration of nomination agreed to in Senate by
voice vote.
October 2, 2017: Cloture motion presented in Senate.
October 2, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory
quorum required under Rule XXII waived.
October 3, 2017: By unanimous consent agreement, debate and
vote October 4, 2017.
October 4, 2017: Considered by Senate.
October 4, 2017: Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
57-38. Record vote number: 210.
October 4, 2017: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay vote, 57-
38. Record vote number: 211.
Adam Lerrick, of Wyoming, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the
Treasury, vice Ramin Toloui.
April 24, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 3, 2018: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Brent James McIntosh, of Michigan, to be General Counsel for
the Department of the Treasury, vice Christopher J.
Meade, resigned.
April 24, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
June 7, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held. Hearings
printed: S. Hrg. 115-245.
June 14, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
June 14, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
June 14, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 113. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
August 3, 2017: Considered by Senate.
August 3, 2017: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Matthew Bassett, of Tennessee, to be an Assistant Secretary of
Health and Human Services, vice Jim R. Esquea.
May 8, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
August 3, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held. Hearings
printed: S. Hrg. 115-290.
September 7, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
September 7, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
September 7, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 297. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
January 30, 2018: Motion to proceed to executive session to
consideration of nomination agreed to in Senate by
voice vote.
January 30, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Andrew K. Maloney, of Virginia, to be a Deputy Under Secretary
of the Treasury, vice Anne Elizabeth Wall.
May 10, 2017: Received in the Senate.
May 10, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar in the
Privileged Nomination section with nominee
information requested by the Committee on Finance,
pursuant to S. Res. 116, 112th Congress.
June 7, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held. Hearings
printed: S. Hrg. 115-245.
June 12, 2017: Committee-requested information was received.
June 12, 2017: Referred to the Committee on Finance as
requested by Senator Hatch.
June 14, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
June 14, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
June 14, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 114. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
August 3, 2017: Considered by Senate.
August 3, 2017: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
David J. Kautter, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury, vice Mark J. Mazur.
May 11, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
July 18, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held. Hearings
printed: S. Hrg. 115-287.
July 20, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
July 20, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
July 20, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 184. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
August 3, 2017: Considered by Senate.
August 3, 2017: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
James Donovan, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of the
Treasury, vice Sarah Bloom Raskin.
May 16, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
May 25, 2017: Received message of withdrawal of nomination
from the President.
Kevin K. McAleenan, of Hawaii, to be Commissioner of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland
Security, vice R. Gil Kerlikowske.
May 22, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
October 24, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
Hearings printed: S. Hrg. 115-409.
December 7, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
December 7, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
December 7, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 543. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
January 3, 2018: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Gilbert B. Kaplan, of the District of Columbia, to be Under
Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, vice
Stefan M. Selig, resigned.
May 25, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
August 3, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held. Hearings
printed: S. Hrg. 115-290.
September 7, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
September 7, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
September 7, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 298. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
March 13, 2018: Considered by Senate.
March 13, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Robert Charrow, of Maryland, to be General Counsel of the
Department of Health and Human Services, vice William
B. Schultz.
June 6, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
August 3, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held. Hearings
printed: S. Hrg. 115-290.
September 7, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
September 7, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
September 7, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 299. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
December 21, 2017: Considered by Senate.
December 21, 2017: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Stephen Parente, of Minnesota, to be an Assistant Secretary of
Health and Human Services, vice Richard G. Frank.
June 6, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 3, 2018: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Jeffrey Gerrish, of Maryland, to be a Deputy United States
Trade Representative (Asia, Europe, the Middle East,
and Industrial Competitiveness), with the rank of
Ambassador, vice Robert W. Holleyman II.
June 15, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
October 5, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
Hearings printed: S. Hrg. 115-386.
October 24, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
October 24, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
October 24, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 397. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
March 5, 2018: Considered by Senate.
March 5, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Lynn A. Johnson, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary for
Family Support, Department of Health and Human
Services, vice Carmen R. Nazario.
June 15, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
March 20, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
June 28, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
June 28, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
June 28, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 994. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
August 22, 2018: Motion to proceed to executive session to
consideration of nomination in Senate by voice
vote.
August 22, 2018: Cloture motion presented in Senate.
August 22, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, debate
August 23, 2018.
August 23, 2018: Considered by Senate.
August 23, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, debate
August 27, 2018.
August 27, 2018: Considered by Senate.
August 27, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory
quorum required under Rule XXII waived.
August 27, 2018: Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
60-28. Record vote number: 194.
August 27, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, debate
Austust 28, 2018.
August 28, 2018: Considered by Senate.
August 28, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay vote, 67-
28. Record vote number: 195.
Gregory Doud, of Kansas, to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator,
Office of the United States Trade Representative, with
the rank of Ambassador, vice Darci L. Vetter.
June 19, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
October 5, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
Hearings printed: S. Hrg. 115-386.
October 24, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
October 24, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
October 24, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 398. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
March 1, 2018: Considered by Senate.
March 1, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Jason Kearns, of Colorado, to be a member of the United States
International Trade Commission for the term expiring
December 16, 2024, vice Dean A. Pinkert, resigned.
June 29, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
October 5, 2017: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
Hearings printed: S. Hrg. 115-386.
October 24, 2017: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
October 24, 2017: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
October 24, 2017: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 399. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
March 1, 2018: Considered by Senate.
March 1, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Dennis Shea, of Virginia, to be a Deputy United States Trade
Representative (Geneva Office), with the rank of
Ambassador, vice Michael W. Punke.
July 11, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 17, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
February 15, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
February 15, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
February 15, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 698.
March 1, 2018: Considered by Senate.
March 1, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
John J. Bartrum, of Indiana, to be an Assistant Secretary of
Health and Human Services, vice Ellen Gloninger Murray.
July 19, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
March 20, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
May 24, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
May 24, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
May 24, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 900.
January 4, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
C.J. Mahoney, of Kansas, to be a Deputy United States Trade
Representative (Investment, Services, Labor,
Environment, Africa, China, and the Western
Hemisphere), with the rank of Ambassador, vice Miriam
E. Sapiro, resigned.
July 27, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 17, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
February 15, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
February 15, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
February 15, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 699.
March 1, 2018: Considered by Senate.
March 1, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Elizabeth Ann Copeland, of Texas, to be a judge of the United
States Tax Court for a term of 15 years, vice James S.
Halpern, retired.
August 3, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
June 12, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
June 28, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
June 28, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
June 28, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 995. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
August 28, 2018: Considered by Senate.
August 28, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Patrick J. Urda, of Indiana, to be a judge of the United States
Tax Court for a term of 15 years, vice Diane L. Kroupa,
retired.
August 3, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
June 12, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
June 28, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
June 28, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
June 28, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 996. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
August 28, 2018: Considered by Senate.
August 28, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Dennis M. Devaney, of Michigan, to be a member of the United
States International Trade Commission for a term
expiring June 16, 2023, vice Irving A. Williamson, term
expired.
October 2, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 4, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Randolph J. Stayin, of Virginia, to be a member of the United
States International Trade Commission for a term
expiring June 16, 2026, vice Meredith M. Broadbent,
term expired.
October 2, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
June 12, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
January 4, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Gail S. Ennis, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Social
Security Administration, vice Patrick P. O'Carroll,
Jr., resigned.
October 16, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance; when reported by the
Committee on Finance, pursuant to an order of
January 7, 2009, to be sequentially referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs for 20 calendar days.
September 27, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
November 15, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
November 15, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
November 15, 2018: Referred sequentially to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for 20
calendar days under authority of the order of the
Senate of January 7, 2009.
November 27, 2018: Reported by Senator Johnson, Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, without
printed report.
November 27, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 1170. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
January 2, 2019: Considered by Senate.
January 2, 2019: Confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.
Jeffrey Kessler, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of
Commerce, vice Paul Piquado, resigned.
November 2, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
June 12, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
June 28, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
June 28, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
June 28, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 997. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond
to requests to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Senate.
January 4, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Alex Michael Azar II, of Indiana, to be Secretary of Health and
Human Services, vice Thomas Price, resigned.
November 14, 2017: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
November 29, 2017: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions. Hearings held.
January 3, 2018: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Alex Michael Azar II, of Indiana, to be Secretary of Health and
Human Services, vice Thomas Price, resigned.
January 8, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 9, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
January 17, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
January 17, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
January 17, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 597. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
January 22, 2018: Motion to proceed to executive session to
consideration of nomination in Senate by voice
vote.
January 22, 2018: Cloture motion presented in Senate.
January 22, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory
quorum required under Rule XXII waived.
January 23, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, debate and
vote January 23, 2018.
January 23, 2018: Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
54-43. Record vote number: 20.
January 23, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, debate and
vote January 24, 2018.
January 24, 2018: Considered by Senate.
January 24, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
55-43. Record vote number: 21.
Adam Lerrick, of Wyoming, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the
Treasury, vice Ramin Toloui.
January 8, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
May 10, 2018: Received message of withdrawal of nomination
from the President.
Kevin K. McAleenan, of Hawaii, to be Commissioner of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland
Security, vice R. Gil Kerlikowske.
January 8, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 17, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
January 17, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
January 17, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 598. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
March 8, 2018: Motion to proceed to executive session to
consideration of nomination agreed to in Senate by
voice vote.
March 8, 2018: Cloture motion presented in Senate.
March 8, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory
quorum required under Rule XXII waived.
March 14, 2018: Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
79-19. Record vote number: 55.
March 14, 2018: Considered by Senate.
March 14, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, debate and
vote March 19, 2018.
March 19, 2018: Considered by Senate.
March 19, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay vote, 77-
19. Record vote number: 56.
Stephen Parente, of Minnesota, to be an Assistant Secretary of
Health and Human Services, vice Richard G. Frank.
January 8, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Courtney Dunbar Jones, of Virginia, to be a judge of the United
States Tax Court for a term of 15 years, vice John O.
Colvin, retired.
January 24, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
December 11, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
December 13, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
December 13, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
December 13, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 1227. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Charles P. Rettig, of California, to be Commissioner of
Internal Revenue for the term expiring November 12,
2022, vice John Andrew Koskinen, term expired.
February 13, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
June 28, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
July 19, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
July 19, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
July 19, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 1013. Subject to nominee's commitment to
respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
September 6, 2018: Motion to proceed to executive session to
consideration of nomination in Senate by voice
vote.
September 6, 2018: Cloture motion presented in Senate.
September 6, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory
quorum required under Rule XXII waived.
September 12, 2018: Considered by Senate.
September 12, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, vote
September 12, 2018.
September 12, 2018: Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay
vote, 63-34. Record vote number: 205.
September 12, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
64-33. Record vote number: 206.
Amy Karpel, of Washington, to be a member of the United States
International Trade Commission for the remainder of the
term expiring June 16, 2020, vice F. Scott Kieff,
resigned.
February 27, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
June 12, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Michael J. Desmond, of California, to be Chief Counsel for the
Internal Revenue Service and an Assistant General
Counsel in the Department of the Treasury, vice William
J. Wilkins.
March 6, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
July 26, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
August 1, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
August 1, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
August 1, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 1045. Subject to nominee's commitment to
respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Elizabeth Darling, of Texas, to be Commissioner on Children,
Youth, and Families, Department of Health and Human
Services, vice Rafael J. Lopez.
March 19, 2018: Received in the Senate.
March 19, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar in the
Privileged Nomination section with nominee
information requested by the Committee on Finance,
pursuant to S. Res. 116, 112th Congress.
August 22, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
September 17, 2018: Referred to the Committee on Finance as
requested by Senator Hatch.
September 18, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
September 18, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
September 18, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 1103. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Michael Faulkender, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury, vice Karen Dynan.
April 9, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
August 22, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
September 18, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
September 18, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
September 18, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 1104. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Justin George Muzinich, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of
the Treasury, vice Sarah Bloom Raskin.
April 10, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
July 26, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
August 1, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported
favorably.
August 1, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
August 1, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar
No. 1046. Subject to nominee's commitment to
respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
December 6, 2018: Considered by Senate.
December 6, 2018: Cloture motion presented in Senate.
December 6, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory
quorum required under Rule XXII waived.
December 6, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, debate
December 10, 2018.
December 10, 2018: Considered by Senate.
December 10, 2018: Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay vote,
55-43. Record vote number: 256.
December 10, 2018: By unanimous consent agreement, debate
December 11, 2018.
December 11, 2018: Considered by Senate.
December 11, 2018: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay vote.
55-44. Record vote number: 257.
Emin Toro, of Virginia, to be a judge of the United States Tax
Court for a term of 15 years, vice Joseph Robert Goeke,
term expiring.
April 10, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
David Fabian Black, of North Dakota, to be Deputy Commissioner
of Social Security for the term expiring January 19,
2019, vice Carolyn W. Colvin, term expired.
April 17, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Andrew M. Saul, of New York, to be Commissioner of Social
Security for the term expiring January 19, 2019, vice
Michael J. Astrue, resigned.
April 17, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
October 2, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
November 15, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
November 15, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
November 15, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 1147. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Andrew M. Saul, of New York, to be Commissioner of Social
Security for the term expiring January 19, 2025
(reappointment).
April 17, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Mark Van Dyke Holmes, of New York, to be a judge of the United
States Tax Court for a term of 15 years
(reappointment).
April 24, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Gordon Hartogensis, of Connecticut, to be Director of the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation for a term of 5
years, vice W. Thomas Reeder, Jr., resigned.
May 15, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred jointly to
the Committees on Finance and Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions pursuant to Sec. 411(c) of Pub.
L. 109-280.
September 27, 2018: Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
November 15, 2018: Committee on Finance. Ordered to be
reported favorably.
November 29, 2018: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions. Ordered to be reported favorably.
November 15, 2018: Reported by Senator Hatch, Committee on
Finance, without printed report.
November 29, 2018: Reported by Senator Alexander, Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, without
printed report.
November 29, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar.
Calendar No. 1191. Subject to nominee's commitment
to respond to requests to appear and testify before
any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
James B. Lockhart III, of Connecticut, to be a member of the
Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors
Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability
Insurance Trust Fund for a term of 4 years, vice
Charles P. Blahous III, term expired.
August 16, 2018: Received in the Senate.
August 16, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar in the
Privileged Nomination section with nominee
information requested by the Committee on Finance,
pursuant to S. Res. 116, 112th Congress.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
James B. Lockhart III, of Connecticut, to be a member of the
Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance
Trust Fund for a term of 4 years, vice Charles P.
Blahous III, term expired.
August 16, 2018: Received in the Senate.
August 16, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar in the
Privileged Nomination section with nominee
information requested by the Committee on Finance,
pursuant to S. Res. 116, 112th Congress.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
James B. Lockhart III, of Connecticut, to be a member of the
Board of Trustees of the Federal Supplementary Medical
Insurance Trust Fund for a term of 4 years, vice
Charles P. Blahous III, term expired.
August 16, 2018: Received in the Senate.
August 16, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar in the
Privileged Nomination section with nominee
information requested by the Committee on Finance,
pursuant to S. Res. 116, 112th Congress.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Travis Greaves, of the District of Columbia, to be a judge of
the United States Tax Court for a term of 15 years,
vice Juan F. Vasquez, term expired.
August 28, 2018: Received in the Senate and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Jason J. Fichtner, of the District of Columbia, to be a member
of the Social Security Advisory Board for a term
expiring September 30, 2024, vice Lanhee J. Chen, term
expiring.
August 28, 2018: Received in the Senate.
August 28, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar in the
Privileged Nomination section with nominee
information requested by the Committee on Finance,
pursuant to S. Res. 116, 112th Congress.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
Michael J. Astrue, of Massachusetts, to be a member of the
Social Security Advisory Board for a term expiring
September 30, 2022, vice Alan L. Cohen, term expired.
August 28, 2018: Received in the Senate.
August 28, 2018: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar in the
Privileged Nomination section with nominee
information requested by the Committee on Finance,
pursuant to S. Res. 116, 112th Congress.
January 3, 2019: Returned to the President under the
provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS REFERRED
TO THE COMMITTEE
There were 669 Senate bills and 57 House bills referred to
the committee for consideration during the 115th Congress. In
addition, 12 Senate and House resolutions (joint, concurrent,
or simple resolutions) were referred to the committee.
REPORTS, PRINTS, AND STUDIES
During the 115th Congress, the committee and supporting
joint committees prepared and issued 7 reports, special prints,
and studies on the following topics:
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Title Document no. To accompany
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Tax Cut and Jobs Act............ 115-466........... H.R. 1
Helping to End Addiction and 115-284........... S. 3120
Lessen (HEAL) Substance Use
Disorders Act of 2018.
Keep Kids' Insurance Dependable 115-197........... S. 1827
and Secure Act of 2017.
The Creating High-Quality 115-146........... S. 870
Results and Outcomes Necessary
to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC)
Care Act of 2017.
Sheltering in Danger: How Poor 115-27............ ..................
Emergency Planning and Response
Put Nursing Home Residents at
Risk During Hurricanes Harvey
and Irma.
An Examination of Foster Care in 115-18............ ..................
the United States and the Use
of Privatization.
Report on the Activities of the 115-25............ ..................
Committee on Finance of the
United States Senate During the
114th Congress.
Rules of Procedure of the 115-2............. ..................
Committee on Finance.
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OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS
During the 115th Congress, a total of 576 official
communications were submitted to the committee. Of these, 7
were Presidential Messages; 538 were Executive Communications--
these communications include reports to advise and inform the
Congress, required annual or semi-annual agency budget and
activities summaries, and requests for legislative action. The
committee also received 31 Petitions and Memorials.