Wednesday, September 28, 2016

HIGHLIGHTS

Senate upon reconsideration passed S. 2040, Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding.

Senate passed H.R. 5325, Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, as amended. (Legislative vehicle for ``Continuing Appropriations Act'')

Measures Introduced: Fifty-four bills and ten resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3406–3459, S. Res. 583–589, and S. Con. Res. 52–54.
Pages S6225–27

Measures Passed:

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (Legislative vehicle for ``Continuing Appropriations Act''): By 72 yeas to 26 nays (Vote No. 151), Senate passed H.R. 5325, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, after taking action on the following amendments and motions proposed thereto:
Pages S6166, S6173–83

Adopted:

McConnell (for Cochran) Amendment No. 5082, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S6166

Withdrawn:

McConnell Amendment No. 5083 (to Amendment No. 5082), to change the enactment date.
Pages S6166, S6182

McConnell Amendment No. 5085 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 5082), to change the enactment date.
Pages S6166, S6182

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

The motion to proceed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on McConnell (for Cochran) Amendment No. 5082, on September 27, 2016, was agreed to.
Page S6182

The motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on McConnell (for Cochran) Amendment No. 5082, on September 27, 2016, was agreed to.
Page S6182

By 77 yeas to 21 nays (Vote No. 149), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate upon reconsideration agreed to the motion to close further debate on McConnell (for Cochran) Amendment No. 5082.
Page S6182

McConnell motion to commit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 5087, to change the enactment date, fell when cloture was invoked on McConnell (for Cochran) Amendment No. 5082.
Page S6166

McConnell Amendment No. 5088 (to (the instructions) Amendment No. 5087), of a perfecting nature, fell when McConnell motion to commit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 5087 fell.
Page S6166

McConnell Amendment No. 5089 (to Amendment No. 5088), of a perfecting nature, fell when McConnell Amendment No. 5088 (to (the instructions) Amendment No. 5087) fell.
Page S6166

McConnell Amendment No. 5084 (to Amendment No. 5083), of a perfecting nature, fell when McConnell Amendment No. 5083 (to Amendment No. 5082) was withdrawn.
Page S6182

McConnell Amendment No. 5086 (to Amendment No. 5085), of a perfecting nature, fell when McConnell Amendment No. 5085 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 5082) was withdrawn.
Page S6182

The motion to proceed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the bill, on September 27, 2016, was agreed to.
Page S6182

The motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the bill, on September 27, 2016, was agreed to.
Page S6182

By 77 yeas to 21 nays (Vote No. 150), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate upon reconsideration agreed to the motion to close further debate on the bill.
Page S6183


Enrollment Correction: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 53, directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 5325.
Page S6197


Earth Science Week: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 562, expressing support for designation of the week of October 9, 2016, through October 15, 2016, as ``Earth Science Week'', and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S6197


Day of the Deployed: Senate agreed to S. Res. 585, designating October 26, 2016, as ``Day of the Deployed''.
Page S6197


Honoring the life of Jacob Wetterling: Senate agreed to S. Res. 586, honoring the life of Jacob Wetterling and recognizing the efforts of Jacob Wetterling's family to find abducted children and support the families of those children.
Page S6197


Charitable Collections: Senate agreed to S. Res. 587, permitting the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings.
Page S6197


National Principals Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 588, recognizing the month of October 2016 as ``National Principals Month''.
Page S6197


Survivors' Bill of Rights Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5578, to establish certain rights for sexual assault survivors, and the bill was then passed.
Pages S6197–99

Veto Messages:

Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act Veto Message: By 97 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 148), two-thirds of the Senators voting, a quorum being present, having voted in the affirmative, S. 2040, to deter terrorism, provide justice for victims, upon reconsideration was passed, the objections of the President of the United States to the contrary notwithstanding.
Pages S6166–73

Gold Star Families Voices Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, the Rules Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4511, to amend the Veterans' Oral History Project Act to allow the collection of video and audio recordings of biographical histories by immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces who died as a result of their service during a period of war, and Senate begin consideration of the bill; that there be 30 minutes of debate, equally divided in the usual form, and following the use or yielding back of time, Senate vote on passage of the bill, with no intervening action or debate.
Page S6195

Treaties Approved: The following treaties having passed through their various parliamentary stages, up to and including the presentation of the resolution of ratification, upon division, two-thirds of the Senators present having voted in the affirmative, the resolutions of ratification were agreed to:

Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Treaty Doc. 110–19); and

The Convention on the Law Applicable to Certain Rights in Respect of Securities Held with an Intermediary (Treaty Doc. 112–6) as amended.
Page S6195

Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:

Rena Bitter, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Sung Y. Kim, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines.

Andrew Robert Young, of California, to be Ambassador to Burkina Faso.

W. Stuart Symington, of Missouri, to be Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Joseph R. Donovan Jr., of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia.

Christopher Coons, of Delaware, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Seventy-first Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Ronald H. Johnson, of Wisconsin, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Seventy-first Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Pages S6248–49

5 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.

36 Army nominations in the rank of general.

1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral.

Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, and Navy.
Pages S6248–49

Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:

Jane Marie Doggett, of Montana, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.

Diane Suzette Harris, of Utah, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.

Virginia Johnson, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2020.

Sylvia Orozco, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2022.

Wilfredo Martinez, of Florida, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute for a term expiring September 17, 2019.

Glenn Fine, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Department of Defense.

Brent Franklin Nelsen, of South Carolina, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2022.

Jeffrey DeLaurentis, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba.

1 Air Force nomination in the rank of general.

1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral.
Page S6248

Messages from the House:
Page S6222

Measures Referred:
Page S6222

Measures Read the First Time:
Pages S6222, S6245

Executive Communications:
Pages S6222–25

Petitions and Memorials:
Page S6225

Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S6225

Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S6227–29

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S6229–44

Additional Statements:
Pages S6214–22

Amendments Submitted:
Pages S6244–45

Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S6245

Privileges of the Floor:
Page S6245

Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--151)
Pages S6173, S6182, S6183

Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:31 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 29, 2016. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6245.)

BUSINESS MEETING

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Christopher James Brummer, of the District of Columbia, and Brian D. Quintenz, of the District of Columbia, both to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

NORTH KOREA

Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy concluded a hearing to examine the persistent threat of North Korea and developing an effective United States response, after receiving testimony from Daniel Russel, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, and Daniel Fried, Coordinator for Sanctions Policy, both of the Department of State.

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM OVERSIGHT

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Administration's fiscal year 2017 refugee resettlement program, after receiving testimony from Simon Henshaw, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration; Leon Rodriguez, Director, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security; and Robert Carey, Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.

Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 101 public bills, H.R. 6195–6295; 1 private bill, H.R. 6296; and 30 resolutions, H.J. Res. 99–101; H. Con. Res. 165–170; and H. Res. 898–900, 902–920 were introduced.
Pages H6098–H6104

Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H6108–09

Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:

Committee on Ethics. In the matter of Allegations Relating to Representative David McKinley (H. Rept. 114–795);

H.R. 2261, to facilitate the continued development of the commercial remote sensing industry and protect national security, with an amendment (H. Rept. 114–796);

H.R. 2263, to rename the Office of Space Commerce and for other purposes (H. Rept. 114–797);

H.R. 5311, to improve the quality of proxy advisory firms for the protection of investors and the U.S. economy, and in the public interest, by fostering accountability, transparency, responsiveness, and competition in the proxy advisory firm industry, with an amendment (H. Rept. 114–798);

H.R. 5429, to improve the consideration by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the costs and benefits of its regulations and orders (H. Rept. 114–799);

H. Res. 901, providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 5325) making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 114–800)

H.R. 4092, to reauthorize the sound recording and film preservation programs of the Library of Congress, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 114–703, Part 1); and

H.R. 5227, to authorize the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to provide playback equipment in all forms, to establish a National Collection Stewardship Fund for the processing and storage of collection materials of the Library of Congress, and to provide for the continuation of service of returning members of Joint Committee on the Library at beginning of a Congress (H. Rept. 114–706, Part 1).
Page H6098

Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Duncan (TN) to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H6005

Recess: The House recessed at 11:02 a.m. and reconvened at 12 noon.
Page H6012

Guest Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the Guest Chaplain, Reverend Gene Hemrick, St. Josephs Catholic Church, Washington, DC.
Page H6012

Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by voice vote.
Page H6012

Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act--Presidential Veto: Read a message from the President where he announced his veto of S. 2040, to deter terrorism, and provide justice for victims, and explains his reasons therefor.
Pages H6023–32

Subsequently, the House voted to override the President's veto of S. 2040, to deter terrorism, and provide justice for victims, by a yea-and-nay vote of 348 yeas to 77 nays with 1 answering ``present'', Roll No. 564 (two-thirds of those present voting to override).
Page H6032

Suspension: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure:
Designating the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Pueblo, Colorado, as the ``PFC James Dunn VA Clinic'': S. 3283, to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Pueblo, Colorado, as the ``PFC James Dunn VA Clinic'', by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 423 yeas with none voting ``nay'' and 1 answering ``present'', Roll No. 567.
Pages H6034–35

Water Resources Development Act of 2016: The House passed H.R. 5303, to provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, by a recorded vote of 399 ayes to 25 noes, Roll No. 572. Consideration began yesterday, September 27th.
Pages H6016–21, H6033–39, H6040–58

Rejected the DeFazio motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 181 ayes to 243 noes, Roll No. 571.
Pages H6055–57

Agreed to:

Byrne amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that directs the Secretary to coordinate with all Gulf States on developing an oyster bed recovery assessment for beds that were damaged due to Hurricane Katrina, Deepwater Horizon and recent floods, adopting a modified version of the Senate passed text;
Page H6036

Crawford amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that clarifies the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) to make eligible alternative water delivery projects aimed at reducing aquifer depletion and makes a technical modification that ensures WIFIA financing arrangements take into account the total cost of the project;
Pages H6036–37

Culberson amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that directs the Secretary to expedite the Brays Bayou flood mitigation project authorized by item 6 in section 211(f) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996;
Page H6037

Farenthold amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that provides that no new start or new investment decision shall be required to initiate work on a separable element of an authorized project when contraction of one or more separable elements of that project was initiated previously; it shall be considered ongoing work and it should be considered continuation of the fully authorized project;
Pages H6037–38

Sam Johnson (TX) amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that requires the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to issue the final federal permit for the Lower Bois d' Arc Creek Reservoir Project no later than September 30, 2017;
Pages H6038–39

Ribble amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that provides that in carrying out the design, construction, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of water resources development projects, including flood risk reduction, coastal resiliency, and ecosystem restoration projects, the Secretary shall ensure that appropriate consideration is given to the use of natural and nature-based features;
Page H6039

Rogers (KY) amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that clarifies that requirements imposed on floating cabins used in the Cumberland River Basin cannot be different or more stringent than the requirements imposed on all recreational vessels authorized for use in the Basin;
Page H6040

Rouzer amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that directs the Army Corps of Engineers to work with state officials to establish a no wake zone in federal navigation channels when certain criteria are met;
Pages H6040–41

Meng amendment (No. 9 printed in H. Rept. 114--794) that allows the Army Corps of Engineers to pursue projects and technologies that prevent and mitigate flood damages associated with ice jams (chunks of ice floating on a river that catch on an obstruction such as a bridge piling, rocks, logs, etc., pile up to form an ice dam, and cause flooding upstream from the blockage, and then possibly downstream again when the ice finally releases);
Page H6041

Moore amendment (No. 10 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that calls for the Army Corps to conduct a review of its tribal consultation policies and regulations; provides that the Army Corps shall provide for public meetings with Indian tribes and other stakeholders and provide a report to Congress on the results of the 3 review;
Pages H6042–44

Peters amendment (No. 11 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that directs the Secretary to design and develop a structural health monitoring program to assess and improve the condition of infrastructure constructed and maintained by the Corps of Engineers, including research, design, and development of systems and frameworks for response to flood and earthquake events; pre-disaster mitigation measures; lengthening the useful life of the infrastructure; and identifying risks due to sea level rise;
Page H6044

Quigley amendment (No. 12 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that expedites the completion of the project for flood control, Chicagoland Underflow Plan, Illinois, phase 2;
Pages H6044–45

Vela amendment (No. 13 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that directs the Secretary of the Army to release the interests of the United States in certain tracts of land located in Cameron County, Texas, and for other purposes;
Pages H6045–46

Huizenga (MI) amendment (No. 14 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that makes permanent a set aside of Army Corps priority funding for the Great Lakes;
Pages H6046–47

Bridenstine amendment (No. 16 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that strengthens language requiring a feasibility study of Tulsa and West Tulsa levees; prioritizes the project if study classifies levee or levee system Class I or Class II;
Pages H6048–49

Courtney amendment (No. 17 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that removes a breakwater in Stonington, Connecticut as a federally authorized project;
Page H6049

Newhouse amendment (No. 18 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that directs the Chief of Engineers to transfer the human remains commonly known as the Kennewick Man or the Ancient One to the Washington State Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation, on the condition that the Department disposes of the remains and repatriates the remains to the claimant tribes;
Pages H6050–51

Joyce amendment (No. 15 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that amends the Clean Water Act to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (by a recorded vote of 407 ayes to 18 noes, Roll No. 569); and
Pages H6047–48, H6054–55

Kildee amendment (No. 19 printed in H. Rept. 114–794) that authorizes the Secretary to provide additional assistance under section 219 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 for certain communities for the repair or replacement of public and private infrastructure in any State for which the President has declared an emergency under the Stafford Act as a result of the presence of chemical, physical, or biological constituents, including lead or other contaminants in the eligible system (by a recorded vote of 284 ayes to 141 noes with 1 answering ``present'', Roll No. 570).
Pages H6051–54, H6055

Rejected:

Graves (LA) amendment (No. 10 printed in H. Rept. 114–790) that was debated on September 27 that sought to allow the non-federal interest to execute a project or project component when they determine that it can be done at lower cost and/or faster time; directs 20% of money saved back to treasury, and the rest to other corps projects (by a recorded vote of 190 ayes to 233 noes, Roll No. 568).
Page H6035

H. Res. 897, the rule providing for further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5303) and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6094) was agreed to by a recorded vote of 234 ayes to 191 noes, Roll No. 566, after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 242 yeas to 183 nays, Roll No. 565.
Pages H6033–34

Expressing concern over the disappearance of David Sneddon: The House agreed to discharge from committee and agree to H. Res. 891, expressing concern over the disappearance of David Sneddon.
Pages H6058–59

Recess: The House recessed at 7:33 p.m. and reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
Page H6070

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2017: The House agreed to the Rogers (KY) motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 5325, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, by a yea-and-nay vote of 342 yeas to 85 nays, Roll No. 573.
Pages H6070–94

H. Res. 901, the rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 5325) was agreed to by voice vote, after the previous question was ordered without objection.
Page H6070

Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act: The House passed H.R. 6094, to provide for a 6-month delay in the effective date of a rule of the Department of Labor relating to income thresholds for determining overtime pay for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees, by a yea-and-nay vote of 246 yeas to 177 nays, Roll No. 574.
Page H6095

H. Res. 897, the rule providing for further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5303) and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6094) was agreed to by a recorded vote of 234 ayes to 191 noes, Roll No. 566, after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 242 yeas to 183 nays, Roll No. 565.
Pages H6033–34

Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 5325: The House agreed to take from the Speakers table and agree to S. Con. Res. 53, directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 5325.
Page H6096

Adjournment Resolution: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 166, providing for an adjournment of the House of Representatives.
Page H6096

Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 30, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 166, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.
Page H6096

Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appears on pages H6039–40 and H6069.

Quorum Calls Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes and six recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H6032, H6033, H6033–34, H6034–35, H6035, H6054–55, H6055, H6057, H6057–58, H6094, H6095. There were no quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and at 10:24 p.m., the House stands adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2016, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 166, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LABORATORIES: INNOVATION THROUGH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY OPERATIONS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities held a hearing entitled ``Department of Defense Laboratories: Innovation through Science and Engineering in Support of Military Operations''. Testimony was heard from Philip Perconti, Acting Director, U.S. Army Research Laboratory; Jeffery P. Holland, Director, Engineer Research and Development Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station; Edward R. Franchi, Acting Director of Research, Naval Research Laboratory; and Major General Robert D. McMurry, USAF, Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory.

SEMI–ANNUAL TESTIMONY ON THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S SUPERVISION AND REGULATION OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM

Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Semi-Annual Testimony on the Federal Reserve's Supervision and Regulation of the Financial System''. Testimony was heard from Janet Yellen, Chair of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System.

THE IMPACT OF US–EU DIALOGUES ON U.S. INSURANCE MARKETS

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing entitled ``The Impact of US–EU Dialogues on U.S. Insurance Markets''. Testimony was heard from Michael McRaith, Director, Federal Insurance Office, Department of the Treasury; Tom Sullivan, Senior Advisor, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; and Julie Mix McPeak, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

OVERSIGHT OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation''. Testimony was heard from James Comey, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

CYBERSECURITY: ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF THE BALLOT BOX

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Information Technology held a hearing entitled ``Cybersecurity: Ensuring the Integrity of the Ballot Box''. Testimony was heard from Andy Ozment, Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications, Department of Homeland Security; Thomas Hicks, Chairman, U.S. Election Assistance Commission; Brian P. Kemp, Secretary of State, State of Georgia; and public witnesses.

SENATE AMENDMENT TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2017

Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on a Senate amendment to H.R. 5325, the ``Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2017''. The committee granted, by voice vote, a rule that provides for the consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 5325. The rule makes in order a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on Appropriations or his designee that the House concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 5325. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the motion. The rule provides that the Senate amendment and the motion shall be considered as read. The rule provides one hour of debate on the motion equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. Testimony was heard from Chairman Rogers of Kentucky, and Representatives Lowey, Jordan, Meadows, and Babin.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS LEASES: IS THE VA OVER-PAYING FOR LEASED MEDICAL FACILITIES?

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing entitled ``Department of Veterans Affairs Leases: Is the VA Over-Paying for Leased Medical Facilities?''. Testimony was heard from Rebecca Shea, Acting Director, Physical Infrastructure, Government Accountability Office; James M. Sullivan, Director of Asset Enterprise Management, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Chris Wisner, Assistant Commissioner for Leasing, Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration.

HEALTH CARE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on health care fraud investigations. Testimony was heard from Abhijit Dixit, Special Agent, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services; Barbara McQuade, U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Michigan; and a public witness.

No joint committee meetings were held.

Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the regional impact of the Syria conflict, focusing on Syria, Turkey, and Iraq, 10 a.m., SD–419.

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, to hold hearings to examine understanding the Millennial perspective in deciding to pursue and remain in Federal employment, 10 a.m., SD–342.

Committee on Financial Services, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Holding Wall Street Accountable: Investigating Wells Fargo's Opening of Unauthorized Customer Accounts'', 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.

Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law, hearing entitled ``Ongoing Oversight: Monitoring the Activities of the Justice Department's Civil, Tax and Environment and Natural Resources Divisions and the U.S. Trustee Program'', 10 a.m., 2237 Rayburn.

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Technology, hearing entitled ``Academic Research Regulatory Relief: A Review of New Recommendations'', 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.

Program for Thursday: Senate will be in a period of morning business.

Program for Friday: House will meet in Pro Forma session at 10:30 a.m.

HOUSE

Ashford, Brad, Nebr., E1396

Bass, Karen, Calif., E1398

Beatty, Joyce, Ohio, E1393

Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E1394

Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1390

Clay, Wm. Lacy, Mo., E1395

Costello, Ryan A., Pa., E1388

Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E1394

Davis, Danny K., Ill., E1397

Delaney, John K., Md., E1389

Dingell, Debbie, Mich., E1393

Farr, Sam, Calif., E1387

Fitzpatrick, Michael G., Pa., E1390

Flores, Bill, Tex., E1397

Garamendi, John, Calif., E1390, E1397

Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E1387

Gosar, Paul A., Ariz., E1389

Hartzler, Vicky, Mo., E1396

Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E1389

Hudson, Richard, N.C., E1394

Huffman, Jared, Calif., E1388

LaHood, Darin, Ill., E1391

Levin, Sander M., Mich., E1390

Lieu, Ted, Calif., E1388

MacArthur, Thomas, N.J., E1396

McCaul, Michael T., Tex., E1386

Messer, Luke, Ind., E1392, E1392

Miller, Candice S., Mich., E1390, E1395

Pascrell, Bill, Jr., N.J., E1391

Poe, Ted, Tex., E1396

Price, Tom, Ga., E1397

Roybal-Allard, Lucille, Calif., E1385

Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E1397

Salmon, Matt, Ariz., E1389

Schweikert, David, Ariz., E1388, E1389

Sewell, Terri A., Ala., E1387

Speier, Jackie, Calif., E1393

Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1392, E1395

Tipton, Scott R., Colo., E1393, E1395

Walorski, Jackie, Ind., E1392, E1396

Webster, Daniel, Fla., E1387

Yoder, Kevin, Kans., E1395