Daily Digest

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Measures Introduced: Forty bills and ten resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2945–2984, and S. Res. 522–531.
Pages S2923–25

Measures Reported:

Special Report entitled ``Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals for Fiscal Year 2019''. (S. Rept. No. 115–260)

H.R. 1397, to authorize, direct, facilitate, and expedite the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal land. (S. Rept. No. 115–257)

S. 2975, making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. (S. Rept. No. 115–258)

S. 2976, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. (S. Rept. No. 115–259)

S. Res. 386, urging the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fulfill its agreement to hold credible elections, comply with constitutional limits on presidential terms, and fulfill its constitutional mandate for a democratic transition of power by taking concrete and measurable steps towards holding elections not later than December 2018 as outlined in the existing election calendar, and allowing for freedom of expression and association, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble.

S. 2602, to support carbon dioxide utilization and direct air capture research, to facilitate the permitting and development of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration projects and carbon dioxide pipelines, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Page S2923

Measures Passed:

Congressional Accountability Act: Senate passed S. 2952, to amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to establish protections against congressional sexual harassment and discrimination.
Pages S2899–S2907


Veterans Cemetery Benefit Correction Act: Senate passed H.R. 4910, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide outer burial receptacles for remains buried in National Parks.
Page S2942


Hershel ``Woody'' Williams VA Medical Center: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3663, to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Huntington, West Virginia, as the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams VA Medical Center, and the bill was then passed.
Page S2942


National Public Works Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 528, designating the week of May 20 through May 26, 2018, as ``National Public Works Week''.
Page S2942


National Minority Health Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 529, promoting minority health awareness and supporting the goals and ideals of National Minority Health Month in April 2018, which include bringing attention to the health disparities faced by minority populations of the United States such as American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders.
Pages S2942–43


National Brain Tumor Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 531, expressing support for the designation of May 2018 as ``National Brain Tumor Awareness Month''.
Page S2943

Pro Forma Sessions--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Senate adjourn, to then convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business being conducted on the following dates and times, and that following each pro forma session, the Senate adjourn until the next pro forma session: Friday, May 25, 2018 at 11 a.m.; Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 9 a.m.; Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 11:30 a.m.; and that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday May 31, 2018, it next convene at 3 p.m., on Monday, June 4, 2018.
Page S2943

Wier Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Robert Earl Wier, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Page S2911

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 Thursday, May 24, 2018, a vote on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, June 4, 2018.
Page S2911

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 S2911

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate resume consideration of the nomination at approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, June 4, 2018; and that notwithstanding the provisions of Rule XXII, the cloture motions filed on Thursday, May 24, 2018 ripen at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, June 4, 2018.
Page S2943

Rodriguez Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Fernando Rodriguez, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.
Page S2911

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 Robert Earl Wier, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Page S2911

Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S2911

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S2911

Axon Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Annemarie Carney Axon, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama.
Pages S2911–15

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 Fernando Rodriguez, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.
Page S2911

Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S2911

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S2911

Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:

By 69 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. EX. 109), Jelena McWilliams, of Ohio, to be Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of five years.
Pages S2889–97

Jelena McWilliams, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of six years.
Pages S2889–97

By 48 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. EX. 111), James Randolph Evans, of Georgia, to be Ambassador to Luxembourg.
Pages S2897–99, S2907

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

By 49 yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. 110), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.
Page S2897

David B. Cornstein, of New York, to be Ambassador to Hungary.

Francis R. Fannon, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Energy Resources).

Eliot Pedrosa, of Florida, to be United States Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank.

Jonathan R. Cohen, of California, to be the Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador, and the Deputy Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations.

Jonathan R. Cohen, of California, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during his tenure of service as Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations.
Page S2915

Erica H. MacDonald, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for the term of four years.

Scott Patrick Illing, of Louisiana, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana for the term of four years.
Page S2915

Rubydee Calvert, of Wyoming, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2022.

Laura Gore Ross, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2022.
Page S2917

Annie Caputo, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2021.

David Wright, of South Carolina, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2020.

Jeffery Martin Baran, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2023.
Page S2917

Gregory J. Slavonic, of Oklahoma, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
Pages S2917–18

6 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.

32 Army nominations in the rank of general.

4 Coast Guard nominations in the rank of admiral.

3 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general.

4 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral.

Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.
Pages S2915–16, S2916–17

Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:

Christopher Fall, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Science, Department of Energy.

Ronald Gidwitz, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium.

Donald Lu, of California, to be Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic.

Ronald Mortensen, of Utah, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Population, Refugees, and Migration).

Denise Natali, of New Jersey, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Conflict and Stabilization Operations).

Alaina B. Teplitz, of Colorado, to be Ambassador to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Maldives.

Christine J. Toretti, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Malta.

Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, and Navy.
Pages S2943–46

Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination:

Edward Masso, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia, which was sent to the Senate on September 5, 2017.
Page S2946

Messages from the House:
Pages S2921–22

Enrolled Bills Presented:
Page S2922

Executive Communications:
Page S2922

Petitions and Memorials:
Pages S2922–23

Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S2923

Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S2925–26

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S2926–37

Additional Statements:
Pages S2920–21

Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S2442

Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--111)
Pages S2896–97, S2897, S2907

Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 5:23 p.m., until 11 a.m. on Friday, May 25, 2018. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S2943.)

BUSINESS MEETING

Committee on Appropriations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items:

An original bill entitled, ``Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2019'';

An original bill entitled, ``Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019''; and

Committee completed its review of 302(b) subcommittee allocations of budget outlays and new budget authority allocated to the committee in H. Con. Res. 71, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027.

CYBERSECURITY

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine cybersecurity, focusing on risks to the financial services industry and its preparedness, including S. 536, to promote transparency in the oversight of cybersecurity risks at publicly traded companies, after receiving testimony from Bill Nelson, Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center, Leesburg, Virginia; Michael Daniel, Cyber Threat Alliance, Arlington, Virginia; Phil Venables, Goldman Sachs, Jersey City, New Jersey; Carl A. Kessler III, First Mutual Holding Co., Avon, Ohio; and Bob Sydow, Ernst and Young LLP, Cincinnati, Ohio.

RURAL HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA

Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine rural health care in America, focusing on challenges and opportunities, after receiving testimony from George H. Pink, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill; Keith J. Mueller, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City; Konnie Martin, San Luis Valley Health, Alamosa, Colorado; Susan K. Thompson, UnityPoint Health, West Des Moines, Iowa; and Karen M. Murphy, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania.

BUSINESS MEETING

Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of John J. Bartrum, of Indiana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUDGET

Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2019 for the Department of State, after receiving testimony from Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State.

BUSINESS MEETING

Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items:

S. 2645, to establish a demonstration program under which the Drug Enforcement Administration provides grants to certain States to enable those States to increase participation in drug take-back programs;

S. 2535, to amend the Controlled Substances Act to strengthen Drug Enforcement Administration discretion in setting opioid quotas, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;

S. 2789, to prevent substance abuse and reduce demand for illicit narcotics, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;

S. 207, to amend the Controlled Substances Act relating to controlled substance analogues;

S. 2838, to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require the Drug Enforcement Administration to report certain information on distribution of opioids, with an amendment; and

The nominations of Andrew S. Oldham, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, Alan D. Albright, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas, Thomas S. Kleeh, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia, Peter J. Phipps, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael J. Truncale, to be a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas, Wendy Vitter, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and Erica H. MacDonald, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota, and Scott Patrick Illing, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana, both of the Department of Justice.

Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 19 public bills, H.R. 5953–5960, 5962–5972; and 4 resolutions, H. Res. 910–913 were introduced.
Pages H4728–29

Additional Cosponsors:
Page H4730

Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:

H.R. 5317, to repeal section 2141 of the Revised Statutes to remove the prohibition on certain alcohol manufacturing on Indian lands (H. Rept. 115–703);

H.R. 5952, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 115–704);

H. Res. 877, resolution of inquiry directing the Secretary of Commerce to provide certain documents in the Secretary's possession to the House of Representatives relating to the decision to include a question on citizenship in the 2020 decennial census of population (H. Rept. 115–705); adversely; and

H.R. 5961, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 115–706).
Page H4728

Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Amodei to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H4697

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019: The House passed H.R. 5515, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2019 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, by a recorded vote of 351 ayes to 66 noes, Roll No. 230. Consideration began Tuesday, May 22nd.
Pages H4699–H4716, H4716–22

Agreed to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair on a point of order sustained against the Thompson (CA) 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 224 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 229.
Pages H4720–21

Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``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, and for other purposes.''.
Page H4722

Agreed to:

Thornberry en bloc amendment No. 4 consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 115–702: Cuellar (No. 93) that requires the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct a core sampling study at Joint Base San Antonio--Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to determine if any regulated or hazardous substances are present along the route of a wastewater pipeline replacement project; requires a report on the results of the core sampling to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives; Yarmuth (No. 94) that requires the Department of Defense to provide estimates of enduring costs funded with Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding as part of its budget submissions to Congress; this requirement is consistent with recommendations made by GAO; Sean Patrick Maloney (NY) (No. 95) that improves the ability of separating or retiring members of the Armed Forces to seek state veterans services by enabling them to elect to have their DD–214 shared with county veterans service officers; Correa (No. 96) that requires the Department of Defense to conduct a study to determine how they can attract and recruit individuals from institutions of higher education, including Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Asian American and Native American Pacific and Islander Serving Institutions with educational backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity; Lee (No. 97) that instructs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit to Congress a report on how funds authorized for overseas contingency operations were obligated; Rohrabacher (No. 98) that expresses a sense of Congress that recognizes Dr. Shakil Afridi as an international hero and that the Government of Pakistan should release him immediately from prison; Soto (No. 99) that directs Department of Defense to also consider distributed ledger technologies when performing their review and assessment on advancements in Artificial Intelligence and associated technologies like quantum sciences and high-performance computing; Lipinski (No. 100) that grants Purple Heart recipients, disabled veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, and their caregivers access to Department of Defense commissaries and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities; Lipinski (No. 101) that directs the Secretary of the Army to comply with GAO recommendations regarding armored commercial passenger-carrying vehicles in report GAO–17–513; directs the Department of Defense to provide a briefing on the implementation of the Department of Defense Instruction O–2000.16 Volume 1; Eshoo (No. 102) that expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Army should explore all possible alternatives to the proposed conveyance of 17.1 acres and 126 existing housing units known as Shenandoah Square in Mountain View, California, including a sublease of the property to an entity that can better develop affordable housing on the property in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, to avoid displacing families currently living at Shenandoah Square; Soto (No. 103) that permanently authorizes the Defense Exportability Feature Pilot Program, which encourages program management to design and develop technology protection features in systems during the research and development stage; Torres (No. 104) that requires the Secretary of Defense to produce a report regarding narcotics trafficking, corruption, and illicit campaign finance in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, which shall include the names of government officials who have engaged in such acts; Wittman (No. 105) that rectifies a clerical mistake by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2019'' ' in regard to Maritime Administration authorization; Garrett (No. 106) that inserts ``foreign'' before ``non-state propaganda'' on page 683, line 15; Cicilline (No. 107) that requires the Secretary of Defense to produce a report analyzing the effects of automation within the Defense Industrial Base over the next ten years; Cicilline (No. 108) that requires a report on the nations, organizations, and persons against which the United States has taken military action under the authority of the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF); and Demings (No. 109) that ensures the Secretary of Defense and other NATO countries shall: seek opportunities to conduct more NATO naval exercises in the Baltic and Black Sea to deter Russian aggression in those regions; and conduct joint research to enhance military capabilities;
Pages H4699–H4705

Thornberry en bloc amendment No. 5 consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 115–702: Cicilline (No. 110) that requires a report on the practical impact of U.S. military strikes against Syria on April 13, 2018; Yoho (No. 111) that directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a priority equipment purchase program of Department of Defense farm equipment to eligible veteran farmers; Marshall (No. 112) that authorizes the Society of the First Infantry Division to make modifications to the First Division Monument located on Federal land in Presidential Park, District of Columbia; the future additions will honor the members of the First Infantry Division who paid the ultimate sacrifice during United States operations, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom; Langevin (No. 113) that recognizes the importance of Department of State political advisors (POLADs) to the Department of Defense; Langevin (No. 114) that requires an annual report for no more than five years regarding buildings and facilities subject to exceptions to accessibility standards; Beyer (No. 115) that revises the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) source selection process in acquisition government-wide, requiring agencies to avoid LPTA use in circumstances that would deny the benefits of cost and technical tradeoffs in the source selection process; Young (AK) (No. 116) that calls for a sense of Congress that the SECAF as part of the strategic basing process for the KC–46 should continue to place emphasis on and consider the benefits derived from locations outside the Continental U.S.; Dunn (No. 117) that supports upgrading 34 existing F–22 Block 20 trainers to combat-ready F–22 Block 35s; Brown (MD) (No. 119) that amends language in Section 2362(d) of Title 10, USC, to ensure that schools which don't receive significant DoD funding--such as HBCUs--are more competitive against MSIs that receive substantial funding; Khanna (No. 120) that requires Secretary of Defense to conduct an investigation to determine if coalition partners or United States military or intelligence personnel violated federal law or Department of Defense policy while conducting operations in Yemen; Duncan (TN) (No. 121) that calls for the Secretary of Defense to submit a report regarding awards and commendations presented to any military personnel for cost-saving ideas during the prior fiscal year and regarding how the Secretary plans to expand and streamline such awards programs for cost-saving ideas; Bacon (No. 122) that requires the Secretary of Defense to modify the Department of Defense Annual Reports for China, Russia and Iran to include influence operations as a matter to be included in such reports; Gottheimer (No. 123) that adds a remembrance of the Holocaust as part of the program to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of WWII, and directs the Secretary of Defense to consult with the Director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Gohmert (No. 124) that affirms the purpose and role of the military chaplancies; Bordallo (No. 125) that provides American companies preference on Telecom Services on military bases in the United States and its territories; Jackson Lee (No. 126) that provides information on the security threats posed by achieving stable quantum computing capability; and Arrington (No. 127) that requires a report from the Secretary of the Air Force no later than February 1, 2019 on how the OA–X light attack aircraft experiment program will support partner nation requirements in counter terrorism operations;
Pages H4705–07

Thornberry en bloc amendment No. 6 consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 115–702: Nolan (No. 128) that expresses the sense of Congress that a strong domestic iron ore and steel industry is vital to the national security of the United States; Davidson (No. 129) that adds an additional section on describing criteria and methodology used for determining military hospital downsizing and closures to a reporting requirement contained in the underlying bill; Loebsack (No. 130) that requires the Secretary of Defense to perform an assessment of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, as well as Maintenance and Manufacturing (STEM) workforce for organizations within the DOD, identify the types and quantities of STEM jobs needed to support future mission work, and identify a plan of action to address the STEM jobs gap; Schneider (No. 131) that authorizes the Boots to Business program which helps transitioning service members and veterans become entrepreneurs and create jobs through a standardized three-step entrepreneurship training track while giving access to resources in their local communities; this program currently runs as a collaboration between the Small Business Administration's Office of Veterans Business Development and the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program; Crawford (No. 132) that provides the sense of Congress on why there is a need for a military explosive ordnance disposal intelligence program; Evans (No. 133) that provides grants, financial assistance, loans, export assistance, and subcontracting opportunities on federal contracts to specified small businesses, organizations, state governments, universities, companies, and other entities that assist smaller enterprises; Frankel (FL) (No. 134) that authorizes appropriations for research on women's contributions to security at the National Defense University Institute for National Security Studies; Raskin (No. 135) that authorizes $5 million to advance the development of canine freeze-dried plasma; Frankel (FL) (No. 136) that amends the FY18 NDAA requirement for the President to develop a national strategy for countering violent extremism to require the President's analysis to account for the unique factors that lead women to act as preventers or supporters of violent extremism, and the ways in which women are targeted as victims of violent extremism; Coffman (No. 137) that requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, to develop a briefing detailing the costs, risks, and operational benefits of leveraging commercial satellite servicing capabilities for national security satellite systems; Shea-Porter (No. 138) that report on DoD security cooperation programs and activities in certain foreign countries, to include lessons learned and best practices with respect to DoD security cooperation programs and recommendations; Sinema (No. 139) that directs the Secretaries of Defense, State, and Treasury, in coordination with appropriate federal officials, to report to Congress on the current funding mechanisms used by Islamic State and affiliated entities; the most likely future financing mechanisms available to Islamic State and affiliated entities; and US efforts to deny access to such funding mechanisms; Sinema (No. 140) that expresses a sense of Congress that wildfires endanger national security and directs DOD to issue a report on wildfire suppression capabilities within the active and reserve components of the Armed Forces, including the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System Program, and interagency cooperation with the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior; Sinema (No. 141) that ensures that the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) helps servicemembers obtain sufficient financial literacy to effectively leverage conferred benefits and opportunities for employment, education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship by requiring the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on actions the Secretary intends to take to effectively incorporate financial literacy as part of the TAP; Newhouse (No. 142) that extends the authorization for the Office of River Protection through 2024; Graves (LA) (No. 143) that gives the Secretary of the respective branch of the military the ability to award the Vietnam Service Medal to participants of Operation End Sweep; and Schrader (No. 144) that requires DOD to report to Congress on ways they are finding and implementing savings laid out by the 2015 Defense Business Board report and for alternative recommendations to achieve cost-savings;
Pages H4807–11

Thornberry en bloc amendment No. 7 consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 115–702: Stefanik (No. 145) that modifies federal hiring authority to make it easier to hire military spouses; Thornberry (No. 146) that specifies the grade of officers serving as Attending Physician to the Congress and the grade of Chiefs of Chaplains; Stefanik (No. 147) that establishes a National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to conduct a comprehensive and national-level review of advances in AI, machine learning, and associated technologies and make near-term, actionable recommendations to address our national security needs; Taylor (No. 148) that allows Defense Access Road program funds to be utilized to conduct construction and maintenance on highways affected by recurrent flooding and sea level rise; Thornberry (No. 149) that expresses a sense of Congress that design, manufacturing, and repair of the technology in unmanned ground vehicles is critical to national security; Palmer (No. 150) that requires a briefing by the Secretary of the Air Force on the need for additional recruitment measures for Space related career fields; Kelly (PA) (No. 151) that prohibits funds from being used to implement the UN Arms Trade Treaty unless the Senate approves a resolution of ratification for the Treaty and implementing legislation for the Treaty has been enacted into law; Nolan (No. 152) that clarifies and makes certain specifications for the troop reporting requirement and the use of waivers; Sam Johnson (TX) (No. 153) that commissions a study to ascertain the impact of Medicare premiums on veterans on Social Security Disability Insurance returning to work; Barr (No. 154) that authorizes the establishment of up to 100 new JROTC units in low-income and rural areas and strengthens the JROTC program to promote military readiness; Carbajal (No. 155) that changes ``Management'' on page 230 and 231 to ``Medical''; Reed (No. 156) that directs the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy to submit a report to Congress on the impacts to our national defense and manufacturing base resulting from a potential relocation of production of steam turbines for aircraft carriers and submarines; Hastings (No. 157) that authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish a joint Military Transition Outreach Pilot Program for contacting service-members within 30–90 days post-separation and/or retirement from active duty; Foster (No. 158) that requires a report on the status of the counter-measures test program; the report shall include an evaluation and response to the 2010 JASON report titled ``MDA Discrimination''; Jackson Lee (No. 159) that seeks an assessment, from the Secretary of Defense, of the strategies that may be used to reduce the security threat posed by active shooter incidents at public elementary schools and secondary schools located on the grounds of Federal military installations; Flores (No. 160) that expresses the sense of Congress that the Air Force should consider long-term university partnerships, similar to arrangements in the Army and Navy, to conduct research as well as science and engineering education for next-generation hypersonics capabilities; Cramer (No. 161) that directs the SECDEF to include the names of the seventy-four crew of the USS Frank E. Evans killed on June 3, 1969 on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall; Foster (No. 162) that requires a report on costs relating to ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic defenses of the United States; Hartzler (No. 163) that expands DOD's authority to interdict drones to include mobility airlift bases; Ben Ray Luján (NM) (No. 164) that creates a manufacturing engineering education program to provide advanced manufacturing training to support the missions for the DOE National Security Laboratories and the NNSA sites; McClintock (No. 165) that authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to retain fees for medical services provided in units of the National Park System; Rohrabacher (No. 166) that requires a report on the potential strategic benefits from security cooperation with the government of Eritrea; and Shea-Porter (No. 167) that states that before and during security sector assistance (SSA) missions, DoD reports to the congressional defense committees assessing US and host nation-shared SSA objectives; evaluating host nation's political, social, economic, diplomatic, and historical context that may impair or inhibit the effectiveness of SSA; assessing the sustainability of support provided to foreign countries participating in SSA; and describing measures taken to ensure foreign countries participating in SSA do not become dependent on the SSA the United States provides; and
Pages H4711–16

Ferguson amendment (No. 168 printed in H. Rept. 115–702) that ensures competition in the commercial e-commerce portal procurement program to foster a marketplace that provides the best products at the best prices.
Pages H4716–17

Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment, including corrections in spelling, punctuation, section and title numbering, cross referencing, conforming amendments to the table of contents and short titles, and the insertion of appropriate headings.
Page H4722

H. Res. 908, the rule providing for further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5515) was agreed to yesterday, May 23rd.

Permission To File Report: Agreed by unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations have until 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2018, to file a privileged report to accompany measures making appropriations for the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019.
Page H4722

Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow, May 25th.
Page H4722

Senate Message: Message received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appears on page H4699.

Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote and one recorded vote developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H4721 and H4721–22. There were no quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 11:18 a.m.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a markup on the FY 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill. The FY 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill was forwarded to the full Committee, without amendment.

UNION TIME ON THE PEOPLE'S DIME: A CLOSER LOOK AT OFFICIAL TIME

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing entitled ``Union Time on the People's Dime: A Closer Look at Official Time''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE

Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee concluded a markup on H.R. 5861, the ``Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services for Success Act''. H.R. 5861 was ordered reported, as amended.

No joint committee meetings were held.

S. 2155, to promote economic growth, provide tailored regulatory relief, and enhance consumer protections. Signed on May 24, 2018. (Public Law 115–74)

No meetings/hearings scheduled.

No hearings are scheduled.

Program for Friday: Senate will meet in a pro forma session.

Program for Friday: House will meet in Pro Forma session at 10 a.m.

HOUSE

Aderholt, Robert B., Ala., E733

Barletta, Lou, Pa., E731

Barr, Andy, Ky., E730, E731, E732, E733, E734

Beatty, Joyce, Ohio, E726

Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E725, E728, E730

Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E733

Chabot, Steve, Ohio, E731

Collins, Chris, N.Y., E732

Connolly, Gerald E., Va., E726, E728, E732

DeFazio, Peter A., Ore., E733

DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E726

Dunn, Neal P., Fla., E727

Gianforte, Greg, Mont., E729

Higgins, Clay, La., E731

Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E726

Jones, Walter B., N.C., E730

Kaptur, Marcy, Ohio, E726

Kind, Ron, Wisc., E725

Lujan Grisham, Michelle, N.M., E731

Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E725

McCarthy, Kevin, Calif., E729, E734

O'Rourke, Beto, Tex., E731, E732, E734

Poe, Ted, Tex., E728, E729, E732

Polis, Jared, Colo., E728, E731

Shimkus, John, Ill., E733

Sinema, Kyrsten, Ariz., E727

Swalwell, Eric, Calif., E727

Tsongas, Niki, Mass., E729

Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E725

Westerman, Bruce, Ark., E730

Zeldin, Lee M., N.Y., E731