Daily Digest

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

HIGHLIGHTS

Senate insisted on its amendment to H.R. 5895, Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, agreed to the request from the House for a conference, and appointed conferees.

Measures Introduced: Seven bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 3192–3198, and S. Res. 572.
Page S4916

Measures Reported:

S. 1459, to establish Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Park in the State of South Carolina, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 115–295)

S. 1646, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of President Station in Baltimore, Maryland. (S. Rept. No. 115–296)

H.R. 2786, to amend the Federal Power Act with respect to the criteria and process to qualify as a qualifying conduit hydropower facility, with an amendment. (S. Rept. No. 115–297)

Report to accompany S. 3153, to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. (S. Rept. No. 115–298)
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House Messages:

Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act: Senate insisted on its amendment to H.R. 5895, making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, agreed to the request of the House for a conference, and authorized the Chair to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the bill to be instructed to insist on the inclusion in the final conference report the following motions proposed thereto:
Page S4890

By 94 yeas to 5 nays (Vote No. 150), Cassidy Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include provisions that have the effect of extending the National Flood Insurance Program, and the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to issue notes and obligations with respect to that program, through January 31, 2019.
Pages S4890–91

By 88 yeas to 11 nays (Vote No. 151), Corker Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the conference report include language providing a role for Congress in making a determination under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1862).
Pages S4890–91

The Chair appointed the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Shelby, Alexander, Boozman, Daines, Lankford, Leahy, Feinstein, Schatz, and Murphy.
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Ney Nomination--Agreement: Senate resumed consideration of the nomination of Paul C. Ney, Jr., of Tennessee, to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense.
Pages S4897–S4909

During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action:

By 74 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. 153), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.
Pages S4896–97

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the nomination, post-cloture, at approximately 10 a.m., on Thursday, July 12, 2018; and that notwithstanding Rule XXII, all post-cloture time on the nomination expire at 1:30 p.m.
Page S4919

Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:

By 51 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. EX. 152), Brian Allen Benczkowski, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General.
Pages S4881–90, S4891–96, S4922

Messages from the House:
Pages S4910–11

Measures Referred:
Page S4911

Measures Placed on the Calendar:
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Executive Communications:
Pages S4911–16

Executive Reports of Committees:
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Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S4916–17

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S4917–18

Additional Statements:
Page S4910

Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S4918–19

Privileges of the Floor:
Page S4919

Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--153)
Page S4890–91, S4896–97

Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:38 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2018. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S4919.)

CYBERSECURITY VULNERABILITIES

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine complex cybersecurity vulnerabilities, focusing on lessons learned from Spectre and Meltdown, after receiving testimony from Donna Dodson, Chief Cybersecurity Advisor, and Director, National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce; Jose-Marie Griffiths, Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota; Joyce Kim, Arm, San Jose, California; Art Manion, Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Sri Sridharan, University of South Florida Center for Cybersecurity, Tampa.

RESTORE OUR PARKS ACT

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks concluded a hearing to examine S. 3172, to amend title 54, United States Code, to establish, fund, and provide for the use of amounts in a National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund to address the maintenance backlog of the National Park Service, after receiving testimony from Senator Warner; Lena McDowall, Deputy Director, Management and Administration, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Marcia Argust, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and Kristen Brengel, National Parks Conservation Association, both of Washington, D.C.; and Holly Fretwell, Property and Environment Research Center, Bozeman, Montana.

FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE LOANS

Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the long-term value to United States taxpayers of low-cost Federal infrastructure loans, after receiving testimony from Douglas Holtz-Eakin, American Action Forum, Washington, D.C.; Brian Motyl, DelDOT, Dover, Delaware; and Vicente Sarmiento, Orange County Water District, Fountain Valley, California.

PAID FAMILY LEAVE

Committee on Finance: Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy concluded a hearing to examine the importance of paid family leave for American working families, after receiving testimony from Senators Ernst and Gillibrand; Andrew G. Biggs, American Enterprise Institute, and Vicki Shabo, National Partnership for Women and Families, both of Washington, D.C.; and Carolyn O'Boyle, Deloitte Services LP, Boston, Massachusetts.

BUSINESS MEETING

Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items:

S. Res. 557, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the strategic importance of NATO to the collective security of the transatlantic region and urging its member states to work together at the upcoming summit to strengthen the alliance, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and

A routine list in the Foreign Service.

WARRANTLESS SMARTPHONE SEARCHES

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management concluded a hearing to examine warrantless smartphone searches at the border, including S. 823, to ensure the digital contents of electronic equipment and online accounts belonging to or in the possession of United States persons entering or exiting the United States are adequately protected at the border, after receiving testimony from Laura K. Donohue, Georgetown University Law Center, Neema Singh Guliani, American Civil Liberties Union, and Matthew Feeney, Cato Institute, all of Washington, D.C.

BUSINESS MEETING

Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported H.R. 597, to take lands in Sonoma County, California, into trust as part of the reservation of the Lytton Rancheria of California.

LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE RESERVATION RESTORATION ACT

Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 2599, to provide for the transfer of certain Federal land in the State of Minnesota for the benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, after receiving testimony from Leslie Weldon, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture; and Faron Jackson, Sr., Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Cass Lake, Minnesota.

NOMINATIONS

Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Ryan Douglas Nelson, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, who was introduced by Senator Risch, Stephen R. Clark, Sr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, who was introduced by Senator Blunt, John M. O'Connor, to be United States District Judge for the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma, who was introduced by Senator Lankford, Joshua Wolson, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who was introduced by Senators Toomey and Casey, and James W. Carroll, Jr., of Virginia, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.

ELECTION SECURITY PREPARATIONS

Committee on Rules and Administration: Committee concluded a hearing to examine election security preparations, focusing on Federal and vendor perspectives, after receiving testimony from Thomas Hicks, Chair, and Christy McCormick, Vice Chair, both a Commissioner, United States Election Assistance Commission; Charles H. Romine, Director, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce; Matt Masterson, Senior Cybersecurity Advisor, National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security; Scott Leiendecker, KNOWiNK, St. Louis, Missouri; Peter Lichtenheld, Hart InterCivic, Inc., Austin, Texas; and Bryan Finney, U.S. Election Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Council, Snoqualmie, Washington.

BUSINESS MEETING

Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters.

Committee recessed subject to the call.

Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 12 public bills, H.R. 6330–6341; and 3 resolutions, H. Res. 987–988, 990, were introduced.
Pages H6110–11

Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H6112–13

Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:

H.R. 5105, to establish the United States International Development Finance Corporation, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 115–814); and

H. Res. 989, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6237) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for intelligence an l intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 115–815).
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Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Marshall to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H6043

Recess: The House recessed at 11:03 a.m. and reconvened at 12 noon.
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Guest Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the Guest Chaplain, Rev. John Hill, Flint United Methodist Church, Alexander City, Alabama.
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Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of those who have been killed or wounded in service to our country and all those who serve and their families.
Page H6050

Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act and Reclamation Title Transfer and Non-Federal Infrastructure Incentivization Act--Rule for Consideration: The House agreed to H. Res. 985, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 50) to provide for additional safeguards with respect to imposing Federal mandates, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3281) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to facilitate the transfer to non-Federal ownership of appropriate reclamation projects or facilities, by a recorded vote of 229 ayes to 183 noes, Roll No. 319, after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 228 yeas to 184 nays, Roll No. 318.
Pages H6053–57, H6064–65

Expressing support for the countries of Eastern Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization: The House agreed to discharge from committee and agree to H. Res. 256, expressing support for the countries of Eastern Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations, amended by Representative Royce.
Pages H6065–67

Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Expressing support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.''.
Page H6067

Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure:
Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act: H.R. 2075, amended, to adjust the eastern boundary of the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area in the State of Oregon to facilitate fire prevention and response activities in order to protect adjacent private property.
Pages H6067–69

Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To adjust the eastern boundary of the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls and Deschutes Canyon Wilderness Study Areas in the State of Oregon to facilitate fire prevention and response activities to protect private property, and for other purposes.''.
Page H6069

Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act: The House passed H.R. 200, to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 193 nays, Roll No. 321.
Pages H6069–98

Rejected the Gomez motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Natural Resources with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 187 yeas to 228 nays, Roll No. 320.
Pages H6097–98

Pursuant to the Rule, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill.
Page H6076

Agreed to:

Young (AK) amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 115–786) that strikes sections 302(c) and 307, and modifies sections 205, 207, 304, 306, 406, and 408; also includes a new section regarding voting procedures for the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program's administrative panel;
Pages H6082–86

Courtney amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 115–786) that creates an industry-based pilot trawl survey for the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council regions;
Pages H6086–87

Webster (FL) amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 115–786) that waives compensatory mitigation requirements for maintenance dredging projects in certain inland waterways, inlets, or harbors;
Pages H6089–90

Graves (LA) amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 115–786), as modified, that requires the Comptroller General to submit a report to Congress on resource rent of LAPPs in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, ways to the Treasury can reclaim that resource rent, and ways to eliminate fiduciary conflicts of interest in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils;
Pages H6090–91

Keating amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rept. 115–786) that directs the Secretary to submit a plan to establish fully operational electronic monitoring and reporting procedures for the ortheast Multispecies Fishery;
Pages H6091–02

Poliquin amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rept. 115–786) that requires NOAA to conduct a study on all fees it charges the lobster industry and report those findings to Congress;
Pages H6092–93

Zeldin amendment (No. 9 printed in H. Rept. 115–786) that lifts the ban on striped bass fishing in the Block Island transit zone between Montauk, NY and Block Island, RI;
Pages H6093–94

Keating amendment (No. 10 printed in H. Rept. 115–786) that directs the Secretary to use funds collected from penalties and fines for monitoring in addition to traditional enforcement activities; and
Pages H6094–95

Gaetz amendment (No. 11 printed in H. Rept. 115–786), as modified, that rewards the elimination of lionfish from United States waters by allowing individuals to exchange lionfish for tags authorizing fishing for certain species in addition to the number of such species otherwise authorized to be taken by such individuals.
Pages H6095–96

Rejected:

Langevin amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 115–786) that sought to provide voting representation for Rhode Island on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); and
Pages H6087–88

Huffman amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 115–786) that sought to ensure that rebuilding plans are successful in rebuilding overfished fish stocks.
Pages H6088–89

Agreed that in the engrossment of the bill, the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections and conforming changes to the bill including the change placed at the desk.
Pages H6098–99

H. Res. 965, the rule providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 200) was agreed to by a recorded vote of 227 ayes to 184 noes, Roll No. 317, after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 186 nays, Roll No. 316.
Pages H6057–64

Senate Referral: S. Con. Res. 41 was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Page H6109

Senate Messages: Message received from the Senate and messages received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today and appear on pages H6053 and H6069.

Quorum Calls--Votes: Four yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H6063, H6063–64, H6064–65, H6065, H6097–98, and H6098. There were no quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE

Committee on Appropriations: Full Committee held a markup on FY 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The FY 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill was ordered reported, as amended.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE'S ROLE IN FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities held a hearing entitled ``Department of Defense's Role in Foreign Assistance''. Testimony was heard from Robert Jenkins, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development; Jason Ladnier, Director, Office of Partnerships, Strategy, and Communications, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Department of State; Mark Mitchell, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict, Department of Defense; and public witnesses.

OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE 340B DRUG PRICING PROGRAM

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Opportunities to Improve the 340B Drug Pricing Program''. Testimony was heard from Debra Draper, Director, Health Care Team, Government Accountability Office; and public witnesses.

PROTECTING CUSTOMER PROPRIETARY NETWORK INFORMATION IN THE INTERNET AGE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Protecting Customer Proprietary Network Information in the Internet Age''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

EXAMINING DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled ``Examining Drug-Impaired Driving''. Testimony was heard from Jennifer Harmon, Assistant Director, Forensic Chemistry, Orange County Crime Laboratory, Orange County Sheriff's Department, California; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 3555, the ``Exchange Regulatory Improvement Act''; H.R. 6177, the ``Developing and Empowering our Aspiring Leaders Act''; H.R. 6319, the ``Expanding Investment in Small Businesses Act''; H.R. 6322, the ``Enhancing Multi-Class Stock Disclosure Act''; H.R. 6324, the ``Middle Market IPO Underwriting Cost Act''; H.R. 6320, the ``Promoting Transparent Standards for Corporate Insiders Act''; H.R. 6321, the ``Investment Adviser Regulatory Flexibility Improvement Act''; and H.R. 6323, the ``National Senior Investor Initiative Act of 2018. H.R. 6321, H.R. 6319, and H.R. 6320 were ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 3555, H.R. 6177, H.R. 6322, H.R. 6323, and H.R. 6324 were ordered reported, as amended.

ADVANCING U.S. INTERESTS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE

Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Advancing U.S. Interests in the Western Hemisphere''. Testimony was heard from Kenneth H. Merten, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State; and Sarah-Ann Lynch, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development.

CHINA'S PREDATORY TRADE AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade; and Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held a joint hearing entitled ``China's Predatory Trade and Investment Strategy''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

DHS'S PROGRESS IN SECURING ELECTION SYSTEMS AND OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Committee on Homeland Security: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``DHS's Progress in Securing Election Systems and Other Critical Infrastructure''. Testimony was heard from Christopher Krebs, Under Secretary, National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security; and Nellie Gorbea, Secretary of State, Rhode Island.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 577, to designate a peak in the State of Nevada as Maude Frazier Mountain; H.R. 1482, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain or replace certain facilities and structures for commercial recreation services at Smith Gulch in Idaho, and for other purposes; H.R. 3764, the ``Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 2017''; H.R. 5613, the ``Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act''; H.R. 6077, the ``National Comedy Center Recognition Act''; and H.R. 6302, to enact as law certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants. H.R. 577, H.R. 1482, and H.R. 6077 were ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 3764, H.R. 5613, and H.R. 6302 were ordered reported, as amended.

LEGISLATIVE MEASURES

Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 6038, to establish a procedure for the conveyance of certain Federal property around the Dickinson Reservoir in the State of North Dakota; H.R. 6039, to establish a procedure for the conveyance of certain Federal property around the Jamestown Reservoir in the State of North Dakota, and for other purposes; H.R. 6040, the ``Contra Costa Canal Transfer Act''; and H.R. 5556, the ``Environmental Compliance Cost Transparency Act of 2018''. Testimony was heard from Craig Headland, North Dakota State Legislative Assembly, Montpelier, North Dakota; Stephen Welch, Assistant General Manager, Contra Costa Water District, California; and Austin Ewell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD'S GLOBAL THREAT

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security held a hearing entitled ``The Muslim Brotherhood's Global Threat''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MATTHEW YOUNG POLLARD INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEARS 2018 AND 2019

Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 6237, the ``Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019''. The Committee granted, by record vote of 6–4, a rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 6237 under a structured rule. The rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order as original text for purpose of amendment an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 115–80 and provides that it shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against that amendment in the nature of a substitute. The rule makes in order only those further amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Nunes, and Representatives LoBiondo, Schiff, Hastings, Torres, and Jackson Lee.

INNOVATION NATION: HOW SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY USE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Committee on Small Business: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Innovation Nation: How Small Businesses in the Digital Technology Industry Use Intellectual Property''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee began a markup on H.R. 6301, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide high deductible health plans with first dollar coverage flexibility; legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that direct primary care service arrangements do not disqualify deductible health savings account contributions, and for other purposes; H.R. 6305, the ``Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act of 2018''; H.R. 6312, the ``PHIT Act''; H.R. 6309, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals entitled to Medicare Part A by reason of being over age 65 to contribute to health savings accounts; H.R. 6199, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include certain over-the-counter medical products as qualified medical expenses; H.R. 6306, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the contribution limitation for health savings accounts, and for other purposes; H.R. 6313, the ``Responsible Additions and Increases to Sustain Employee Health Benefits Act of 2018''; H.R. 4616, to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide for a temporary moratorium on the employer mandate and to provide for a delay in the implementation of the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage; H.R. 6314, the ``Health Savings Act of 2018''; and H.R. 6311, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to modify the definition of qualified health plan for purposes of the health insurance premium tax credit and to allow individuals purchasing health insurance in the individual market to purchase a lower premium copper plan.

JOHN S. McCAIN NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 5515, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2019 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call.

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the credit bureaus and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 10 a.m., SD–538.

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the policy issues facing interstate delivery networks for natural gas and electricity, 10 a.m., SD–366.

Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine tariffs, focusing on implications for United States foreign policy and the international economy, 10 a.m., SD–419.

Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S. 2946, to amend title 18, United States Code, to clarify the meaning of the terms ``act of war'' and ``blocked asset'', and the nominations of Britt Cagle Grant, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit, David James Porter, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr., of South Carolina, and Julius Ness Richardson, of South Carolina, both to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, Roy Kalman Altman, and Rodolfo Armando Ruiz II, both to be a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, Raul M. Arias-Marxuach, to be United States District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico, and Maria Chapa Lopez, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, and Richard E. Taylor, Jr., to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Texas, both of the Department of Justice, 10 a.m., SD–226.

Select Committee on Intelligence: to receive a closed briefing regarding certain intelligence matters, 2 p.m., SH–219.

Committee on Energy and Commerce, Full Committee, markup on H.R. 959, the ``Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2017''; H.R. 1676, the ``Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act''; H.R. 3728, the ``Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency Readiness Act of 2017''; H.R. 5385, the ``Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2018''; H. Res. 982, of inquiry requesting the President, and directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to transmit, respectively, certain information to the House of Representatives referring to the separation of children from their parents or guardians as a result of the President's ``zero tolerance'' policy; H.R. 2278, the ``Responsible Disposal Reauthorization Act of 2017''; H.R. 2389, to reauthorize the West Valley demonstration project, and for other purposes; H.R. 1320, the ``Nuclear Utilization of Keynote Energy Act''; H.R. 6140, the ``Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act''; H.R. 6032, the ``State of Modern Application, Research, and Trends of IoT Act''; H.R. 2345, the ``National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2017''; H.R. 3994, the ``ACCESS BROADBAND Act''; H.R. 4881, the ``Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018''; H.R. 5709, the ``Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act'', 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.

Committee on Financial Services, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the International Financial System'', 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance, hearing entitled ``Countering the Financial Networks of Weapons Proliferation'', 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn.

Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, hearing entitled ``Nicaraguan Crisis: Next Steps to Advancing Democracy''; and markup on H. Res. 981, condemning the violence, persecution, intimidation, and murders committed by the Government of Nicaragua against its citizens, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, hearing entitled ``Combating Tuberculosis in Southern Africa'', 3 p.m., 2255 Rayburn.

Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence; and Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency, joint hearing entitled ``Access Denied: Keeping Adversaries Away from the Homeland Security Supply Chain'', 10 a.m., HVC–210.

Committee on the Judiciary, Full Committee; and full Committee of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, hearing entitled ``Oversight of FBI and DOJ Actions Surrounding the 2016 Election: Testimony by FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok'', 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.

Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federal Lands, hearing entitled ``The Essential Role of Livestock Grazing on Federal Lands and its Importance to Rural America'', 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy; and Subcommittee on Research and Technology, joint hearing entitled ``Big Data Challenges and Advanced Computing Solutions'', 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Full Committee, business meeting to assign Representative Bill Flores of Texas to subcommittees; amend the Committee Rules to establish a Subcommittee on Technology Modernization; set the membership ratio of the subcommittee; assign a chair and ranking member of the subcommittee; assign majority and minority members of the subcommittee; and for other purposes, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon.

Full Committee, markup on H.R. 2409, to allow servicemembers to terminate their cable, satellite television, and Internet access service contracts while deployed; H.R. 2787, the ``VET MD Act''; H.R. 5538, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the inclusion of certain additional periods of active duty service for purposes of suspending charges to veterans' entitlement to educational assistance under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs during periods of suspended participation in vocational rehabilitation programs; H.R. 5649, the ``Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William `Bill' Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement Act of 2018''; H.R. 5693, the ``Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act''; H.R. 5864, the ``VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership Performance Act''; H.R. 5882, the ``Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act''; H.R. 5938, the ``Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2018''; H.R. 5974, the ``VA COST SAVINGS Enhancements Act''; and H.R. 6066, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the productivity of the management of Department of Veterans Affairs health care, and for other purposes, 10:15 a.m., 334 Cannon.

Committee on Ways and Means, Full Committee, continue markup on H.R. 6301, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide high deductible health plans with first dollar coverage flexibility; legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that direct primary care service arrangements do not disqualify deductible health savings account contributions, and for other purposes; H.R. 6305, the ``Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act of 2018''; H.R. 6312, the ``PHIT Act''; H.R. 6309, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals entitled to Medicare Part A by reason of being over age 65 to contribute to health savings accounts; H.R. 6199, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include certain over-the-counter medical products as qualified medical expenses; H.R. 6306, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the contribution limitation for health savings accounts, and for other purposes; H.R. 6313, the ``Responsible Additions and Increases to Sustain Employee Health Benefits Act of 2018''; H.R. 4616, to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide for a temporary moratorium on the employer mandate and to provide for a delay in the implementation of the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage; H.R. 6314, the ``Health Savings Act of 2018''; and H.R. 6311, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to modify the definition of qualified health plan for purposes of the health insurance premium tax credit and to allow individuals purchasing health insurance in the individual market to purchase a lower premium copper plan, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth.

Conference: meeting of conferees on H.R. 5895, making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, 11 a.m., SVC–202/03.

Joint Economic Committee: to hold hearings to examine the innovation economy, entrepreneurship, and barriers to capital access, 2:30 p.m., SH–216.

Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of the nomination of Paul C. Ney, Jr., of Tennessee, to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense, post-cloture, and vote on confirmation of the nomination at 1:30 p.m.

Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 3281--Reclamation Title Transfer and Non-Federal Infrastructure Incentivization Act. Consideration of H.R. 6237--Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 (Subject to a Rule).

HOUSE

Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E995

Collins, Chris, N.Y., E997

Comer, James, Ky., E995

Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E995

Doggett, Lloyd, Tex., E997

Gianforte, Greg, Mont., E998

Gutiérrez, Luis V., Ill., E995

Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E998

Kennedy, Joseph P., III, Mass., E999

Mooney, Alexander X., W.Va., E996

Napolitano, Grace F., Calif., E999

Pelosi, Nancy, Calif., E997

Poe, Ted, Tex., E997, E998

Reed, Tom, N.Y., E995

Royce, Edward R., Calif., E996

Russell, Steve, Okla., E997

Shimkus, John, Ill., E996

Stefanik, Elise M., N.Y., E997