Congressional Record
113th Congress (2013-2014)
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Daily Digest - Thursday, March 27, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
- Senate passed H.R. 4152, Ukraine Loan Guarantees, as amended.
[Page: D324] GPO's PDF
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S1781-S1837
Measures Introduced:
Twenty bills and six resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2164-2183, S.J. Res. 35, and S. Res. 400-404.
Pages S1818-19
Measures Reported:
S. 994, to expand the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to increase accountability and transparency in Federal spending, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 113-139)
Page S1818
Measures Passed:
Ukraine Loan Guarantees:
Senate passed H.R. 4152, to provide for the costs of loan guarantees for Ukraine, after taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S1785-92
Adopted:
By 98 yeas to 2 nays (Vote No. 88), Reid (for Menendez/Corker) Amendment No. 2867, to provide a complete substitute.
Pages S1785-92
50th Anniversary of the Great Alaska Earthquake: Senate agreed to S. Res. 400, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Great Alaska Earthquake, which struck the State of Alaska at 5:36 p.m. on Good Friday, March 27, 1964, honoring those who lost their lives in the Great Alaska Earthquake and associated tsunamis, and expressing continued support for research on earthquake and tsunami prediction and mitigation strategies.
Pages S1800-03
United States International Programming to Ukraine and Neighboring Regions: Senate passed S. 2183, entitled ``United States International Programming to Ukraine and Neighboring Regions''.
Pages S1834-35
Military and Veterans Caregiver Month: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 395, designating the month of April 2014 as ``Military and Veterans Caregiver Month'', and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S1835
Measures Considered:
Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act--Agreement:
Senate continued consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of 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.
Pages S1781-84, S1793, S1799, S1800, S1803
During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action:
By 65 yeas to 34 nays (Vote No. 90), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill.
Pages S1799-S1800
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that following disposition of H.R. 4302, to amend the Social Security Act to extend Medicare payments to physicians and other provisions of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and when all post-cloture time has expired, Senate vote on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill.
Page S1809
Appointments:
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom:
The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, upon the recommendation of the Republican Leader, pursuant to Public Law 105-292, as amended by Public Law 106-55, Public Law 107-228, and Public Law 112-75, appointed the following individuals to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom: Mary Ann Glendon of Massachusetts, and M. Zuhdi Jasser of Arizona.
Page S1835 D325
Protecting Access to Medicare Act--Agreement:
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that following Leader remarks on Monday, March 31, 2014, Senate begin consideration of H.R. 4302, to amend the Social Security Act to extend Medicare payments to physicians and other provisions of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which was received from the House of Representatives and is at the desk; that there be no amendments, or motions in order to the bill with the exception of budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive; that the time until 5 p.m., be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, for debate on the bill; that notwithstanding the previous order, following the vote on confirmation of the nomination of John B. Owens, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, on Monday, March 31, 2014, Senate vote on passage of the bill; that the bill be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold; and that upon disposition of the bill, Senate vote on the motion to proceed to consideration of 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, as provided under the previous order.
Page S1809
Owens Nomination--Cloture:
Senate continued consideration of the nomination of John B. Owens, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.
Page S1799
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During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action:
By 54 yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. 89), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.
Page S1799
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2014, Senate resume consideration of the nomination, all post-cloture time be considered expired at 5:30 p.m., and Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination.
Page S1793
Nominations Confirmed:
Senate confirmed the following nominations:
Maria Contreras-Sweet, of California, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
Pages S1792-93, S1837
Matthew H. Tueller, of Utah, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen.
Pages S1800, S1837
Kathryn B. Thomson, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Transportation.
Pages S1834, S1837
Messages from the House:
Page S1817
Measures Referred:
Page S1817
Executive Communications:
Pages S1817-18
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S1818
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S1819-20
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S1820-32
Additional Statements:
Pages S1815-17
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S1832-33
Notices of Intent:
Page S1833
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:
Page S1833
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S1833-34
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S1834
Record Votes:
Three record votes were taken today. (Total--90)
Pages S1791-92, S1799-S1800
Adjournment:
Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 6:19 p.m., until 2 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2014. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on Page S1835.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
APPROPRIATIONS: FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2015 for the Federal Communications Commission, after receiving testimony from Tom Wheeler, Chairman, and Ajit Pai, Commissioner, both of the Federal Communications Commission.
APPROPRIATIONS: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies concluded open and closed hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2015 for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, after receiving testimony from James B. Comey, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST AND FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM
Committee on Armed Services:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the posture of the Department of the Navy in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2015 and the Future Years Defense Program, after receiving testimony from Ray Mabus, Secretary, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Chief D326of Naval Operations, and General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, all of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense.
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BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:
Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Rhea Sun Suh, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, and Janice Marion Schneider, of New York, to be Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, both of the Department of the Interior.
Also, committee announced the following subcommittee assignments:
Subcommittee on Energy:
Senators Franken (Chair), Wyden, Johnson (SD), Cantwell, Sanders, Stabenow, Udall (CO), Manchin, Heinrich, Baldwin, Risch, Heller, Flake, Alexander, Portman, and Hoeven.
Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining:
Senators Manchin (Chair), Wyden, Johnson (SD), Cantwell, Udall (CO), Franken, Schatz, Heinrich, Baldwin, Barrasso, Risch, Lee, Heller, Flake, Scott, Alexander, and Hoeven.
Subcommittee on National Parks:
Senators Udall (CO) (Chair), Wyden, Sanders, Stabenow, Schatz, Heinrich, Baldwin, Portman, Barrasso, Lee, Alexander, and Hoeven.
Subcommittee on Water and Power:
Senators Schatz (Chair), Johnson (SD), Cantwell, Sanders, Stabenow, Manchin, Franken, Lee, Barrasso, Risch, Heller, Flake, and Scott.
Senators Landrieu and Murkowski are ex officio members of each subcommittee.
MAP-21 REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Environment and Public Works:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine MAP-21 reauthorization, focusing on state and local perspectives on transportation priorities and funding, after receiving testimony from Michael P. Lewis, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director, Providence; Sue Minter, Vermont Agency of Transportation Deputy Secretary, Montpelier; Mayor Gregory A. Ballard, Indianapolis, Indiana; Mayor Mick Cornett, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Bill Fontenot, St. Landry Parish President, Opelousas, Louisiana; James H. Willox, Converse County Board of County Commissioners Chairman, Douglas, Wyoming, on behalf of the Wyoming County Commissioners Association Committee on Transportation; and Dave Gula, Wilmington Area Planning Council, Newark, Delaware.
POWER AFRICA INITIATIVE
Committee on Foreign Relations:
Subcommittee on African Affairs concluded a hearing to examine powering Africa's future, focusing on the Power Africa Initiative, after receiving testimony from Earl Gast, Assistant Administrator for Africa, United States Agency for International Development; Mimi Alemayehou, Executive Vice President, Overseas Private Investment Corporation; Rick Angiuoni, Director of Africa, Export-Import Bank of the United States; Paul Hinks, Symbion Power LLC, Del Renigar, General Electric, and Thomas H. Hart, The ONE Campaign, all of Washington, D.C.; and Tony O. Elumelu, Heirs Holdings, Lagos, Nigeria.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Sherry Moore Trafford, and Steven M. Wellner, both to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, after the nominees, who were both introduced by Representative Norton, testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine strengthening the Federal Student Loan Program for borrowers, after receiving testimony from James W. Runcie, Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid, Department of Education; Michelle Asha Cooper, Institute for Higher Education Policy, Washington, D.C.; Deanne Loonin, National Consumer Law Center Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project, Boston, Massachusetts; Roberta L. Johnson, Iowa State University, Ames; and Marian Malone Dill, Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary:
Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Gregg Jeffrey Costa, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, Tanya S. Chutkan, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia, M. Hannah Lauck, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, Leo T. Sorokin, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts, and John Charles Cruden, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR THOSE WHO SERVE
Committee on the Judiciary:
Subcommittee on Oversight, Federal Rights and Agency Action concluded a hearing to examine access to justice for those who serve, after receiving testimony from Colonel Paul E. Kantwill, Director, Office of Legal Policy, Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, Judge Advocate General's Corps, United States D327Army, and Dwain Alexander, II, Senior Civilian Attorney, Region Legal Service Office, Mid-Atlantic, and Lieutenant Kenneth Savage, United States Navy Reserve, both of the Department of the Navy, all of the Department of Defense; John S. Odom, Jr., Jones and Odom, L.L.P., Shreveport, Louisiana; and Major General Andrew Davis, USMC (Ret.), Reserve Officers Association, and Ian De Planque, Legislative Commission of the American Legion, both of Washington, D.C.
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INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence:
Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community.
Committee recessed subject to the call.
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced:
32 public bills, H.R. 4315-4346; and 5 resolutions, H.J. Res. 113 and H. Res. 526-529 were introduced.
Pages H2743-45
Additional Cosponsors:
Page H2746
Reports Filed:
There were no reports filed today.
Speaker:
Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Woodall to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H2699
Recess:
The House recessed at 9:20 a.m. and reconvened at 9:42 a.m.
Page H2700
Suspensions:
The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:
Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014:
H.R. 4302, to amend the Social Security Act to extend Medicare payments to physicians and other provisions of the Medicare and Medicaid programs and
Pages H2700-18, H2730
Ukraine Support Act: H.R. 4278, amended, to support the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 399 yeas to 19 nays, Roll No. 148.
Pages H2718-30, H2730-31
Recess:
The House recessed at 11:24 a.m. and reconvened at 11:31 a.m.
Page H2730
Recess:
The House recessed at 11:32 a.m. and reconvened at 12:07 p.m.
Page H2730
Meeting Hour:
Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. tomorrow, March 28th; and when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet on Tuesday, April 1st when it shall convene at 12 noon for Morning Hour Debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.
Page H2733
Senate Message:
Message received from the Senate today appears on page H2736.
Senate Referral:
S. 1827 was held at the desk.
Quorum Calls--Votes:
One yea-and-nay vote developed during the proceedings of today and appears on pages H2730-31. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment:
The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
Committee Meetings
APPROPRIATIONS--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION FY 2015 BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Food and Drug Administration FY 2015 Budget. Testimony was heard from Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Norris W. Cochran, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services; and William Tootle, Director of the Office of Budget, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.
APPROPRIATIONS--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FY 2015 BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies held a hearing on the National Science Foundation FY 2015 Budget. Testimony was heard from Cora Marrett, Acting Director, National Science Foundation.
APPROPRIATIONS--ARMY FY 2015 BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on United States Army FY 2015 Budget. Testimony was heard from John M. McHugh, Secretary, United States Army; and General Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff, United States Army.
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APPROPRIATIONS--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Environmental Protection Agency Budget. Testimony was heard from Gina McCarthy, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
APPROPRIATIONS--VETERANS AFFAIRS FY 2015 BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Veterans Affairs FY 2015 Budget. Testimony was heard from Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, Veterans Affairs.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE WITHOUT OCO FUNDS
Committee on Armed Services:
Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on Operation and Maintenance without OCO Funds: What Now? Testimony was heard from Lieutenant General Burton M. Field, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, United States Air Force; Lieutenant General James L. Huggins, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, United States Army; Vice Admiral Joseph P. Mulloy, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (N-8), United States Navy; and Lieutenant General Glenn M. Walters, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, United States Marine Corps.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Homeland Security:
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications held a markup on H.R. 3283, the ``Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2013''; H.R. 4263, the ``Social Media Working Group Act of 2014''; and H.R. 4289, the ``Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act.'' H.R. 3283 and H.R. 4263 were forwarded to the Full Committee, as amended. H.R. 4289 was forwarded to the Full Committee, without amendment.
OVER-FEDERALIZATION
Committee on the Judiciary:
Over-Criminalization Task Force held a hearing on Over-federalization. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ADVANCES IN EARTHQUAKE SCIENCE: 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT ALASKAN QUAKE
Committee on Natural Resources:
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing entitled ``Advances in Earthquake Science: 50th Anniversary of the Great Alaskan Quake''. Testimony was heard from William Leith, Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake and Geologic Hazards, U.S. Geological Survey; and public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources:
Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs held a hearing on H.R. 4002, to revoke the charter of incorporation of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma at the request of that tribe, and for other purposes; and H.R. 3822, the ``Fort Wingate Land Division Act of 2014''. Testimony was heard from Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; Representative Lujan (NM); and public witnesses.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology:
Subcommittee on Space held a hearing entitled ``A Review of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Budget for Fiscal Year 2015.'' Testimony was heard from Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs:
Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the following legislation: H.R. 183, the ``Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act''; H.R. 2527, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide veterans with counseling and treatment for sexual trauma that occurred during inactive duty training; H.R. 2661, the ``Veterans Access to Timely Medical Appointments Act''; H.R. 2974, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the eligibility for beneficiary travel for veterans seeking treatment or care for military sexual trauma in specialized outpatient or residential programs at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; H.R. 3508, to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the qualifications of hearing aid specialists of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; H.R. 3180, to amend title 38, United States Code, to include contracts and grants for residential care for veterans in the exception to the requirement that the Federal Government recover a portion of the value of certain projects; H.R. 3387, the ``Classified Veterans Access to Care Act''; H.R. 3831, the ``Veterans Dialysis Pilot Program Review Act of 2014''; H.R. 4198, the ``Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act''; and legislation to authorize major medical facility projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes. Testimony was heard D329from Madhulka Agarwal, M.D., Deputy Under Secretary, Health, Policy and Services, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and the following Representatives: Sinema; Titus; Grimm; Walorski; Duffy; Roe (TN) and Denham.
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ONGOING INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence:
Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Ongoing Intelligence Activities''. This was a closed hearing.
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
No meetings/hearings scheduled.
No hearings are scheduled.
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Program for Monday:
Senate will begin consideration of H.R. 4302, Protecting Access to Medicare Act.
At 5 p.m., Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of John B. Owens, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, with a vote on confirmation of the nomination at approximately 5:30 p.m. Following which, Senate will vote on or in relation to H.R. 4302, Protecting Access to Medicare Act, and the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 3979, Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act.
Program for Friday:
The House will meet in pro forma session at 11 a.m.
HOUSE
Beniskey, Dan, Mich., E465
Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E464
Coffman, Mike, Colo., E460
Davis, Danny K., Ill., E462
Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E457, E459, E461, E462, E463, E464
Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E458, E461
Grayson, Alan, Fla., E459, E463
Green, Al, Tex., E463
Hahn, Janice, Calif., E464
Honda, Michael M., Calif., E461
Lewis, John, Ga., E458
Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E466
Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E458
Michaud, Michael H., Me., E462
Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E460
Poe, Ted, Tex., E457
Rogers, Mike, Ala., E462
Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E463
Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E466
Schneider, Bradley S., Ill., E465
Schock, Aaron, Ill., E465
Sessions, Pete, Tex., E465
Sewell, Terri A., Ala., E466
Thompson, Mike, Calif., E464
Upton, Fred, Mich., E457
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E462
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