Congressional Record
113th Congress (2013-2014)


THIS SEARCH     THIS DOCUMENT     THIS CR ISSUE     GO TO
Next Hit        Forward           Next Document     New CR Search
Prev Hit        Back              Prev Document     HomePage
Hit List        Best Sections     Daily Digest      Help
                Contents Display

{title: 'THOMAS - Congressional Record - 113th Congress', link: 'http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r113:d04de4:/' }

Daily Digest - Thursday, December 4, 2014

Thursday, December 4, 2014


Daily Digest


[Page: D1083]  GPO's PDF

Senate


Chamber Action


Routine Proceedings, pages S6315-S6357

Measures Introduced: Fourteen bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2973-2986, and S. Res. 594.

Pages S6350-51

Measures Reported:

S. 2963, to remove a limitation on a prohibition relating to permits for discharges incidental to normal operation of vessels. (S. Rept. No. 113-284)
Report to accompany S. 919, to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to provide further self-governance by Indian tribes. (S. Rept. No. 113-285)
H. Con. Res. 107, denouncing the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas and other terrorist organizations in violation of international humanitarian law, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble.
S. Res. 578, supporting the role of the United States in ensuring children in the world's poorest countries have access to vaccines and immunization through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
S. Res. 586, calling on the Government of Burma to develop a non-discriminatory and comprehensive solution that addresses Rakhine State's needs for peace, security, harmony, and development under equitable and just application of the rule of law, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble.
S. 2140, to improve the transition between experimental permits and commercial licenses for commercial reusable launch vehicles, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Page S6349

Measures Passed:

World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act: Senate passed H.R. 2366, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of World War I.

Page S6354

Honor Flight Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4812, to amend title 49, United States Code, to require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to establish a process for providing expedited and dignified passenger screening services for veterans traveling to visit war memorials built and dedicated to honor their service, and the bill was then passed.
Page S6354

Law School Clinic Certification Program: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5108, to establish the Law School Clinic Certification Program of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the bill was then passed.
Page S6354

Air Carriers Passenger Fees: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5462, to amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for limitations on the fees charged to passengers of air carriers, and the bill was then passed.
Page S6354

No Social Security for Nazis Act: Senate passed H.R. 5739, to amend the Social Security Act to provide for the termination of social security benefits for individuals who participated in Nazi persecution.
Pages S6354-55

Naval Vessel Transfer Act: Senate passed S. 1683, to provide for the transfer of naval vessels to certain foreign recipients, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Page S6355

Reid (for Menendez) Amendment No. 3973, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S6355

Navajo Water Settlement Technical Corrections Act: Senate passed S. 1447, to make technical corrections to certain Native American water rights settlements in the State of New Mexico, after agreeing to the committee amendment.
Page S6355

David M. Rubenstein Citizen Regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution: Committee on Rules and Administration was discharged from further consideration of S.J. Res. 45, providing for the reappointment of David M. Rubenstein as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and the resolution was then passed.
Page S6356D1084

Bernardo de Galvez y Madrid Honorary Citizenship: Senate passed H.J. Res. 105, conferring honorary citizenship of the United States on Bernardo de Galvez y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of Galvez.
Page S6356

Authorizing Use of Emancipation Hall: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 120, authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol.
Page S6356

National Falls Prevention Awareness Day: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 569, designating September 23, 2014, as ``National Falls Prevention Awareness Day'' to raise awareness and encourage the prevention of falls among older adults, and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S6356

Celebrating the Centennial Year of the Birth of Jan Karski: Senate agreed to S. Res. 594, celebrating the centennial year of the birth of Jan Karski and honoring his extraordinary and courageous life.
Page S6356

Appointments:

United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: The Chair, announced, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 106-398, as amended by Public Law 108-7, and in consultation with the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Finance, the re-appointment of the following individual to serve as a member of the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: Katherine Tobin of Virginia, for a term beginning January 1, 2015 and expiring December 31, 2016.

Page S6357

Library of Congress Trust Fund Board: The Chair announced, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 95-277, as amended by the appropriate provisions of Public Law 102-246, and in consultation with the Republican Leader, the re-appointment of the following individual to serve as a member of the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board for a five year term: Tom Girardi of California.
Page S6357

Baran Nomination--Cloture: Senate continued consideration of the nomination of Jeffery Martin Baran, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Page S6330

[Page: D1084]  GPO's PDF

During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action:
By 53 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. 313), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.

 Page S6330

McFerran Nomination--Cloture : Senate continued consideration of the nomination of Lauren McGarity McFerran, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board.

Pages S6330-31

During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action:
By 51 yeas to 42 nays (Vote No. 314), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.
Pages S6330-31

Williams Nomination--Cloture : Senate continued consideration of the nomination of Ellen Dudley Williams, of Maryland, to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy.

Pages S6331-41

During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action:
By 57 yeas to 34 nays (Vote No. 315), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.
Page S6331

Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
Franklin M. Orr, Jr., of California, to be Under Secretary for Science, Department of Energy.

Page S6317

By 89 yeas to 3 nays (Vote No. EX. 308), Joseph S. Hezir, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy.
Pages S6317-18

Gregory N. Stivers, of Kentucky, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky.
Pages S6318-19, S6329

During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action:
By 69 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. 309), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.
Pages S6318-19

By 76 yeas to 16 nays (Vote No. EX. 312), Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Page S6329

During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action:
By 66 yeas to 26 nays (Vote No. 310), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.
Page S6319

Lydia Kay Griggsby, of Maryland, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years.
Pages S6319-20, S6329-30

During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action:
By 53 yeas to 36 nays (Vote No. 311), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.
Pages S6319-20

Messages from the House:

Pages S6348-49

Measures Referred:

Page S6349D1085

Executive Reports of Committees:

Pages S6349-50

Additional Cosponsors:

Page S6351

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:

Pages S6351-52

Additional Statements:

Pages S6346-48

Amendments Submitted:

Pages S6352-53

Authorities for Committees to Meet:

Pages S6353-54

Privileges of the Floor:

Page S6354

Record Votes: Eight record votes were taken today. (Total--315)

Pages S6318-20, S6329-31

Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:24 p.m., until 2 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2014. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6357.)

[Page: D1085]  GPO's PDF

Committee Meetings


(Committees not listed did not meet)

NOMINATION


Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Colette Dodson Honorable, of Arkansas, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Pryor and Boozman, testified and answered questions in her own behalf.

BUSINESS MEETING


Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items:
S. 2946, to provide improved water, sanitation, and hygiene programs for high priority developing countries, with amendments;
S. Res. 578, supporting the role of the United States in ensuring children in the world's poorest countries have access to vaccines and immunization through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance;
S. Res. 586, calling on the Government of Burma to develop a non-discriminatory and comprehensive solution that addresses Rakhine State's needs for peace, security, harmony, and development under equitable and just application of the rule of law, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
H. Con. Res. 107, denouncing the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas and other terrorist organizations in violation of international humanitarian law, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and
The nominations of Robert Francis Cekuta, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Richard M. Mills, Jr., of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, Jess Lippincott Baily, of Ohio, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia, Margaret Ann Uyehara, of Ohio, to be Ambassador to Montenegro, Richard Rahul Verma, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of India, Peter Michael McKinley, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Carol Leslie Hamilton, of California, to be an Alternate Representative to the Sixty-ninth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Isobel Coleman, of New York, to be an Alternate Representative to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, and to be Representative to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, with the rank of Ambassador, and lists in the Foreign Service, all of the Department of State, and Leon Aron, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

FANS ACT


Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 1721, to decrease the frequency of sports blackouts, to require the application of the antitrust laws to Major League Baseball, focusing on if sports blackouts and antitrust exemptions are harming fans, consumers, and the games themselves, after receiving testimony from Senator McCain; William T. Lake, Chief, Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission; and David R. Goodfriend, Sports Fans Coalition, Sally Greenberg, National Consumers League, and Gerald J. Waldron, Covington and Burling LLP, on behalf of the National Football League, all of Washington, DC.

NOMINATION


Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Leigh A. Bradley, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs, after the nominee testified and answered questions in her own behalf.

INTELLIGENCE


Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community.

[Page: D1086]  GPO's PDF

House of Representatives


Chamber Action


Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 12 public bills, H.R. 5791-5802; and 2 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 121; and H. Res. 771, were introduced.

Pages H8668-69 

Additional Cosponsors:

Page H8669 

Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today.

Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

Page H8367

Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act of 2014: The House agreed to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 3979, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that emergency services volunteers are not taken into account as employees under the shared responsibility requirements contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, with an amendment consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 113-58, modified by the amendments printed in part A of House Report 113-646, by a yea-and-nay vote of 300 yeas to 119 nays, Roll No. 551.

Pages H8385-H8632, H8651-52

Agreed by unanimous consent that the Chair may postpone further proceedings today on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment with an amendment as though under clause 8 of rule 20.
Page H8385 

H. Res. 770, amended, the rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3979) and the bills (H.R. 5759) and (H.R. 5781), was agreed to by a recorded vote of 232 ayes to 191 noes, Roll No. 547.
Pages H8369-85

Agreed to the Nugent amendment to the rule by voice vote, after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 546.
Pages H8383-84

Executive Amnesty Prevention Act of 2014: The House passed H.R. 5759, to establish a rule of construction clarifying the limitations on executive authority to provide certain forms of immigration relief, by a yea-and-nay vote of 219 ayes to 197 noes with 3 answering ``present'', Roll No. 550.

Pages H8632-51

Rejected the Murphy (FL) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 194 yeas to 225 nays, Roll No. 549.
Pages H8649-50

Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part B of H. Rept. 113-646 shall be considered as adopted.
Page H8632 

H. Res. 770, amended, the rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3979) and the bills (H.R. 5759) and (H.R. 5781), was agreed to by a recorded vote of 232 ayes to 191 noes, Roll No. 547.
Page H8369

Agreed to the Nugent amendment to the rule by voice vote, after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 546.
Pages H8383-84

Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and agree to the following measure which was debated on Wednesday, December 3rd:
Condemning the actions of the Russian Federation: H. Res. 758, amended, to strongly condemn the actions of the Russian Federation, under President Vladimir Putin, which has carried out a policy of aggression against neighboring countries aimed at political and economic domination, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 411 yeas to 10 nays, Roll No. 548.

Page H8385

Providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 3979: The House agreed by unanimous consent to H. Con. Res. 121, to provide for a correction in the enrollment of the bill H.R. 3979.

Page H8652 

Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 12 noon on Monday, December 8th for Morning Hour debate.

Page H8654

Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H8652.

Senate Referrals: S. 2759 was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, S. 2921 and S. 229 were referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs, and S. 2523 was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Page H8667 

Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8383-84, H8384-85, H8385, H8650, H8650-51, and H8651-52. There were no quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 5:34 p.m.

[Page: D1087]  GPO's PDF

Committee Meetings


IS ACADEMIC FREEDOM THREATENED BY CHINA'S INFLUENCE ON U.S. UNIVERSITIES?


Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing entitled ``Is Academic Freedom Threatened by China's Influence on U.S. Universities?''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

LEGISLATIVE MEASURE


Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs held a hearing on H.R. 3099, the ``Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Conservation Act of 2013''. Testimony was heard from Chairman Miller of Florida; Samuel D. Rauch, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Robert J. Barham, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Christopher Blankenship, Director, Marine Resources Division, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and public witnesses.

Joint Meetings


No joint committee meetings were held.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY,


DECEMBER 5, 2014


(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)

Senate


No meetings/hearings scheduled.

House


No hearings are scheduled.

[Page: D1088]  GPO's PDF

Next Meeting of the
SENATE

2 p.m., Monday, December 8

Senate Chamber

Program for Monday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 5:30 p.m.), Senate will vote on confirmation of the nominations of Jeffery Martin Baran, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Lauren McGarity McFerran, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board, and Ellen Dudley Williams, of Maryland, to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy.

Next Meeting of the
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

12 noon, Monday, December 8

House Chamber

Program for Monday: To be announced.








Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue.

HOUSE

Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E1737

Bentivolio, Kerry L., Mich., E1742

Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E1739, E1745

Bonamici, Suzanne, Ore., E1734

Chu, Judy, Calif., E1740, E1745

Clarke, Yvette D., N.Y., E1733

Coffman, Mike, Colo., E1741

Cramer, Kevin, N. Dak., E1735

Crenshaw, Ander, Fla., E1732

Davis, Danny K., Ill., E1735

DeGette, Diana, Colo., E1732

DesJarlais, Scott, Tenn., E1731

Duckworth, Tammy, Ill., E1742

Duncan, John J., Tenn., E1741

Farr, Sam, Calif., E1735

Fincher, Stephen Lee, Tenn., E1741

Green, Gene, Tex., E1736

Himes, James A., Conn., E1746

Jackson Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1746

Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E1736, E1741

Keating, William R., Mass., E1731

Lee, Barbara, Calif., E1736

Long, Billy, Mo., E1745

McClintock, Tom, Calif., E1731

Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1745

Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E1740, E1743

Miller, Candice S., Mich., E1743

Negrete McLeod, Gloria, Calif., E1731, E1732, E1733, E1734, E1735, E1740, E1742

Perlmutter, Ed, Colo., E1733

Roe, David P., Tenn., E1732

Rogers, Mike, Ala., E1740

Ross, Dennis A., Fla., E1742

Royce, Edward R., Calif., E1743

Shuster, Bill, Pa., E1733

Smith, Adam, Wash., E1742

Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E1734

Stockman, Steve, Tex., E1737

Swalwell, Eric, Calif., E1739

Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E1737

Young, Todd C., Ind., E1741


THIS SEARCH     THIS DOCUMENT     THIS CR ISSUE     GO TO
Next Hit        Forward           Next Document     New CR Search
Prev Hit        Back              Prev Document     HomePage
Hit List        Best Sections     Daily Digest      Help
                Contents Display