[Daily Digest]
[Pages D165-D168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Thursday, February 20, 2025

[[Page D165]]

Daily Digest

HIGHLIGHTS

Senate confirmed the nomination of Kashyap Patel, of Nevada, to
be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 7, Concurrent Resolution on the
Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, as amended.

Senate

Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S1061-S1303
Measures Introduced: Forty bills and eight resolutions were introduced,
as follows: S. 643-682, S.J. Res. 20-23, and S. Res. 86-89.
Pages S1126-27
Measures Reported:
Special Report entitled ``Report of the Select Committee on
Intelligence United States Senate covering the period January 3, 2023
to January 3, 2025''. (S. Rept. No. 119-1)
Page S1126
Measures Passed:
Budget Resolution: By 52 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 87), Senate agreed
to S. Con. Res. 7, setting forth the congressional budget for the
United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034, after
taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S1061-64, S1075-S1125
Adopted:
By 51 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 70), Sullivan Amendment No. 1029, to
establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to protecting
Medicare and Medicaid.
Page S1105
By 53 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 85), Lee Amendment No. 922, to
establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to Congress
continuing its work to rein in the administrative state by supporting
legislation that prevents Federal agencies from finalizing major rules
without congressional approval, strengthens the Article I law-making
powers of Congress, cuts spending resulting from costly regulations,
reduces inflation, and unleashes economic growth.
Page S1117
Rejected:
By 48 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 64), Merkley Amendment No. 473, to
establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to the impacts of
hedge fund ownership of single-family homes and rent prices.
Pages S1100-01
By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 66), Murray Amendment No. 878, to
strike the reconciliation instructions and create a reserve fund to
implement a bipartisan, multi-year agreement to provide up to
$171,000,000,000 in discretionary funding for defense and up to
$171,000,000,000 in discretionary funding for other programs, accounts,
and activities to address border, veterans, farmers, food and
nutrition, disaster relief, and other needs.
Page S1102
By 48 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 68), Bennet Amendment No. 540, to
establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to reinstating the
fired Federal employees at the Forest Service, National Park Service,
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
Pages S1103-04
By 48 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 69), Schiff Amendment No. 316, to
establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to supporting Federal
wildland firefighters and associated personnel.
Page S1104
By 49 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 72), Ossoff Amendment No. 407, to
establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to protecting access
to maternal and pediatric health care through Medicaid.
Page S1106
By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 76), Reed Amendment No. 299, to
ensure continued United States support for the Government of Ukraine to
stand firm against aggression by the Government of Russia in Europe.
Pages S1108-09

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By 24 yeas to 76 nays (Vote No. 77), Paul Amendment No. 999, to
require an adequate amount of deficit reduction as part of
reconciliation.
Pages S1109-10
By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 78), Slotkin/Klobuchar Amendment No.
664, to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to preventing
reductions in funding and staffing necessary to respond to, control,
and prevent avian flu.
Page S1110
By 48 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 80), Shaheen/Baldwin Amendment No.
436, to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to preserving
and extending vital tax credits enacted under the Patient Protection
and Affordable Care Act, which make health care accessible and
affordable and that have led to the lowest uninsured rate in our
Nation's history.
Pages S1111-12
By 48 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 81), Lujan Amendment No. 699, to
establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to supporting police,
which may include initiatives that provide funding directly to law
enforcement agencies to hire or rehire additional career law
enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing
capacity and crime prevention efforts.
Page S1112
By 49 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 82), Duckworth/Booker Amendment No.
971, to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to protecting
access to fertility services, and eliminating barriers for families in
need of high-quality, affordable fertility services by expanding
nationwide coverage for in vitro fertilization.
Pages S1112-13
Heinrich Amendment No. 101, to establish a deficit-neutral reserve
fund relating to funding for grants awarded by the Office on Violence
Against Women.
Page S1113
By 47 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 83), Blumenthal Amendment No. 659, to
ensure full and uninterrupted funding for Department of Veterans
Affairs health care and benefits provided by the Sergeant First Class
Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act
of 2022 (Public Law 117-168), also known as the ``PACT Act'',
preventing any cuts or delays.
Pages S1113-14
Markey Amendment No. 911, to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund
relating to increasing funding for research on Alzheimer's disease and
related dementias.
Page S1114
Coons/Schiff Amendment No. 1223, to protect Americans' privacy from
unauthorized access by DOGE.
Pages S1114-15
By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 84), Lujan/Klobuchar Amendment No.
957, to strike reconciliation instructions requiring damaging cuts to
programs critical to rural Americans and food assistance for American
families.
Pages S1115-16
Warren Amendment No. 734, to modify the provisions relating to the
general reserve fund.
Page S1116
Kelly Amendment No. 984, to modify the provision relating to the
general reserve fund.
Page S1116
King/Merkley Amendment No. 198, to modify the provision relating to
the general reserve fund.
Pages S1116-17
Blunt Rochester Amendment No. 311, to establish a deficit-neutral
reserve fund relating to preventing the indiscriminate termination of
Federal employees who protect the health or safety of Americans, which
may include scientists, emergency preparedness staff, frontline health
care workers, drug or medical device reviewers, or other employees at
the Department of Health and Human Services.
Pages S1117-18
Murray/Durbin Amendment No. 880, to establish a deficit-neutral
reserve fund relating to reversing the Trump Administration's
indiscriminate cut to biomedical research and the lifesaving work
supported by the National Institutes of Health at research institutions
across the country.
Page S1118
By 49 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 86), Merkley Amendment No. 1207, to
establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to ending price
gouging on prescription drugs.
Pages S1118-19
During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the
following action:
By 47 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 62), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to consideration of
Schumer Amendment No. 454, to prevent unwarranted tax cuts for the
ultra-rich. Subsequently, a point of order that the amendment was in
violation of section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
was sustained, and the amendment thus fell.
Pages S1099-S1100
By 48 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 63), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to consideration of
Klobuchar Amendment No. 494, to stop tax cuts for the ultra-rich while
families struggle to put food on the table. Subsequently, a point of
order that the amendment was in violation of section 305(b)(2) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and the amendment thus
fell.
Page S1100
By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 65), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion

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to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 with respect to consideration of Warner Amendment No. 130, to
create a point of order against any reconciliation bill that would not
decrease the cost of housing for American families. Subsequently, a
point of order that the amendment was in violation of section 305(b)(2)
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and the
amendment thus fell.
Pages S1101-02
By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 67), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to consideration of
Hickenlooper Amendment No. 925, to create a point of order against
legislation that would raise energy costs for Americans, including
higher monthly electricity bills, building material expenses, and
transportation costs. Subsequently, a point of order that the amendment
was in violation of section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974 was sustained, and the amendment thus fell.
Page S1103
By 49 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 71), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to consideration of
Schumer Amendment No. 776, to prevent tax cuts for the wealthy if a
single dollar of Medicaid funding is cut. Subsequently, a point of
order that the amendment was in violation of section 305(b)(2) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was sustained, and the amendment thus
fell.
Pages S1105-06
By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 73), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to consideration of Wyden
Amendment No. 1156, to prevent millions of Americans from being kicked
off their health coverage, suffering needlessly, getting sicker, and
dying sooner. Subsequently, a point of order that the amendment was in
violation of section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
was sustained, and the amendment thus fell.
Pages S1106-07
By 48 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 74), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to consideration of
Baldwin Amendment No. 276, to create a point of order against
legislation that would take away health care from seniors, including
those receiving care in nursing homes, through cuts to the Medicaid
program. Subsequently, a point of order that the amendment was in
violation of section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
was sustained, and the amendment thus fell.
Pages S1107-08
By 49 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 75), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to consideration of Reed
Amendment No. 172, to create a point of order against legislation that
would reduce Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Americans.
Subsequently, a point of order that the amendment was in violation of
section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was
sustained, and the amendment thus fell.
Page S1108
By 49 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 79), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to consideration of Van
Hollen Amendment No. 233, to create a point of order against
legislation that would cut funding from the school lunch or school
breakfast programs. Subsequently, a point of order that the amendment
was in violation of section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974 was sustained, and the amendment thus fell.
Pages S1110-11
American Heart Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 87, designating
February 2025 as ``American Heart Month''.
Page S1303
National Speech and Debate Education Day: Senate agreed to S. Res.
88, designating March 7, 2025, as ``National Speech and Debate
Education Day''.
Page S1303
National FFA Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 89, expressing support
for the designation of February 15 through February 22, 2025, as
``National FFA Week'', recognizing the important role of the National
FFA Organization in developing the next generation of leaders who will
change the world, and celebrating the 90th anniversary of New Farmers
of America and the 75th anniversary of the Future Farmers of America
Federal charter.
Page S1303
Budget Resolution--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was
reached providing that for the duration of the consideration of S. Con.
Res. 7, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States
Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate
budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034, the Majority and
the Democrat managers of the concurrent resolution, while seated or
standing at the managers' desk, be permitted to

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deliver floor remarks, retrieve, review, and edit documents, and send
email and other data communications from text displayed on wireless
personal assistant devices and tablet devices; provided further that
the use of calculators be permitted on the floor during consideration
of the concurrent resolution; that the staff be permitted to make
technical and conforming changes to the concurrent resolution, if
necessary, consistent with amendments adopted during Senate
consideration, including calculating the associated change in the net
interest function and incorporating the effect of such adopted
amendments on the budgetary aggregates for Federal revenue, the amount
by which the Federal revenue should be changes, new budget authority,
budget outlays, deficits, public debt, and debt held by the public; and
that there be two minutes of debate, equally divided, prior to each
vote during consideration of the concurrent resolution.
Pages S1090-91
Driscoll Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the
nomination of Daniel Driscoll, of North Carolina, to be Secretary of
the Army.
Page S1125
A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and,
in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of
the Senate, and pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of Friday,
February 21, 2025, a vote on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m., on
Monday, February 24, 2025.
Page S1125
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the
following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to
consider the nomination.
Page S1125
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at
approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, February 24, 2025, Senate resume
consideration of the nomination; and that notwithstanding Rule XXII,
the motions to invoke cloture with respect to the nominations of Daniel
Driscoll, and Jamieson Greer, of Maryland, to be United States Trade
Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, ripen at 5:30 p.m., on
Monday, February 24, 2025.
Page S1303
Greer Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination
of Jamieson Greer, of Maryland, to be United States Trade
Representative, with the rank of Ambassador.
Page S1125
A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and,
in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of
the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the
nomination of Daniel Driscoll, of North Carolina, to be Secretary of
the Army.
Page S1125
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the
following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S1125
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to
consider the nomination.
Page S1125
Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:
By 51 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. EX. 61), Kashyap Patel, of Nevada, to
be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a term of ten
years.
Pages S1064-75, S1303
During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the
following action:
By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 60), Senate agreed to the motion to
close further debate on the nomination.
Page S1064
Measures Discharged:
Page S1126
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S1126
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S1127-29
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S1129-37
Additional Statements:
Pages S1125-26
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S1137-S1302
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S1302-03
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S1303
Record Votes: Twenty-eight record votes were taken today. (Total--87)
Pages S1064, S1075, S1099-S1119
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m., on Thursday, February 20,
2025, and adjourned at 4:51 a.m., on Friday, February 21, 2025, until 3
p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025. (For Senate's program, see the
remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1303.)