Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Measures Introduced: Fifteen bills and five resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2387–2401, and S. Res. 395–399.
Pages S703–04

Measures Reported:

S. 1621, to require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a methodology for the collection by the Commission of information about commercial mobile service and commercial mobile data service. (S. Rept. No. 115–206)
Page S703

Measures Passed:

National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 385, supporting the observation of ``National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month'' during the period beginning on January 1, 2018, and ending on February 1, 2018, to raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery, and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S697


National School Counseling Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 397, designating the week of February 5 through 9, 2018, as ``National School Counseling Week''.
Pages S697–98


National Girls & Women in Sports Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 398, supporting the observation of ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day'' on February 7, 2018, to raise awareness of and celebrate the achievements of girls and women in sports.
Pages S697–98


Congratulating the Philadelphia Eagles: Senate agreed to S. Res. 399, congratulating the Philadelphia Eagles on their triumph in Super Bowl LII.
Pages S697–98

House Messages:

Department of Defense Appropriations Act--Agreement: Senate continued consideration of the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 695, to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to establish a voluntary national criminal history background check system and criminal history review program for certain individuals who, related to their employment, have access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities, taking action of the following motions and amendments proposed thereto:

Pending:

McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill.
Pages S667–97, S698–99

McConnell motion to refer the message of the House on the bill to the Committee on the Appropriations, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 1922, to change the enactment date.
Page S667

McConnell Amendment No. 1923 (to (the instructions) Amendment No. 1922), of a perfecting nature.
Page S667

McConnell Amendment No. 1924 (to Amendment No. 1923), of a perfecting nature.
Page S667

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the House Message to accompany the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, February 8, 2018, with the time until the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees.
Page S792

Honoring Hometown Heroes Act--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 1892, to amend title 4, United States Code, to provide for the flying of the flag at half-staff in the event of the death of a first responder in the line of duty, taking action of the following motions and amendments proposed thereto:

Pending:

McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill, with Amendment No. 1930, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S699

McConnell Amendment No. 1931 (to Amendment No. 1930), to change the enactment date.
Page S700

McConnell motion to refer the message of the House on the bill to the Committee on the Appropriations, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 1932, to change the enactment date.
Page S700

McConnell Amendment No. 1933 (to (the instructions) Amendment No. 1932), of a perfecting nature.
Page S700

McConnell Amendment No. 1934 (to Amendment No. 1933), of a perfecting nature.
Page S700

A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to the bill, with Amendment No. 1930, in the nature of a substitute, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Friday, February 9, 2018.
Page S699

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

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to consideration of the House Message to accompany the bill.
Page S699

Appointments:

National Council on Disability: The Chair announced, on behalf of the Democratic Leader, pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 93–112, as amended by Public Law 112–166, and further amended by Public Law 113–128, the appointment of the following to serve as a member of the National Council on Disability: Andres J. Gallegos of Illinois vice Bob Brown.
Page S792

Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:

Barbara Stewart, of Illinois, to be Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Brett Giroir, of Texas, to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service, subject to the qualifications therefor as provided by law and regulations, and to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Pages S697, S792

Messages from the House:
Page S702

Measures Referred:
Page S702

Measures Placed on the Calendar:
Page S703

Petitions and Memorials:
Page S703

Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S703

Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S704–05

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S705–09

Amendments Submitted:
Pages S709–91

Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S791–92

Adjournment: Senate convened at 11:30 a.m. and adjourned at 11:44 p.m., until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2018. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S792.)

COUNTERING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities concluded a hearing to examine defending the homeland, focusing on Department of Defense's role in countering weapons of mass destruction, after receiving testimony from Kenneth P. Rapuano, Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense and Global Security, and Lieutenant General Joseph L. Osterman, USMC, Deputy Commander, United States Special Operations Command, both of the Department of Defense.

ARMY MODERNIZATION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland concluded a hearing to examine Army modernization, after receiving testimony from Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G–3/5/7, Lieutenant General John M. Murray, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G–8, Lieutenant General Paul A. Ostrowski, USA, Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), and Director of the Army Acquisition Corps, and Major General Robert M. Dyess Jr., USA, Acting Director, Army Capabilities Integration Center, all of the Department of Defense.

PUBLIC LANDS LEGISLATION

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining concluded a hearing to examine S. 414 and H.R. 1107, bills to promote conservation, improve public land management, and provide for sensible development in Pershing County, Nevada, S. 441, to designate the Organ Mountains and other public land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System in the State of New Mexico, S. 507, to sustain economic development and recreational use of National Forest System land in the State of Montana, to add certain land to the National Wilderness Preservation System, to designate new areas for recreation, S. 612 and H.R. 1547, bills to provide for the unencumbering of title to non-Federal land owned by the city of Tucson, Arizona, for purposes of economic development by conveyance of the Federal reversionary interest to the City, S. 1046, to facilitate certain pinyon-juniper related projects in Lincoln County, Nevada, to modify the boundaries of certain wilderness areas in the State of Nevada, and to fully implement the White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act, S. 1219 and H.R. 3392, bills to provide for stability of title to certain land in the State of Louisiana, S. 1222, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to La Paz County, Arizona, S. 1481, to make technical corrections to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, S. 1665 and H.R. 2582, bills to authorize the State of Utah to select certain lands that are available for disposal under the Pony Express Resource Management Plan to be used for the support and benefit of State institutions, S. 2062, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey at market value certain National Forest System land in the State of Arizona, S. 2206, to release certain wilderness study areas in the State of Montana, S. 2218, to provide for the conveyance of a Forest Service site in Dolores County, Colorado, to be used for a fire station, S. 2249, to permanently reauthorize the Rio Puerco Management Committee and the Rio Puerco Watershed Management Program, H.R. 995, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to modernize terms in certain regulations, and H.R. 1404, to provide for the conveyance of certain land inholdings owned by the United States to the Tucson Unified School District and to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, after receiving testimony from Senators Heller, Tester, and Udall; Glenn Casamassa, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture; and Brian Steed, Deputy Director for Policy and Programs, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

BUSINESS MEETING

Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Andrew Wheeler, of Virginia, to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

IMPACT OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS ON FARMING AND RANCHING

Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the impact of Federal environmental regulations and policies on American farming and ranching communities, after receiving testimony from Michael T. Scuse, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture, Dover; Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation, and Donn Teske, National Farmers Union, both of Washington, D.C.; Niels Hansen, PH Livestock, Rawlins, Wyoming, on behalf of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the Public Lands Council; and Howard Hill, National Pork Producers Council, Cambridge, Iowa.Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items:

S. 2286, to amend the Peace Corps Act to provide greater protection and services for Peace Corps volunteers, with an amendment;

S. 2060, to promote democracy and human rights in Burma, with amendments;

H.R. 1625, to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to include severe forms of trafficking in persons within the definition of transnational organized crime for purposes of the rewards program of the Department of State, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;

S. Res. 92, expressing concern over the disappearance of David Sneddon;

H.R. 535, to encourage visits between the United States and Taiwan at all levels; and

The nominations of Peter Hendrick Vrooman, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, and Eric M. Ueland, of Oregon, to be an Under Secretary (Management), both of the Department of State.

TURKEY

Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee received a closed briefing on Turkey from A. Wess Mitchell, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs; Robert Karem, Assistant Secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs; and Michael Lieberman, Senior Policy Advisor, Department of the Treasury.

REAUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine reauthorizing the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on positioning DHS to address new and emerging threats to the Homeland, including H.R. 2825, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Homeland Security, and H.R. 3359, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security, after receiving testimony from Elaine Duke, Deputy Secretary, Claire M. Grady, Under Secretary for Management, Christopher C. Krebs, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, and John V. Kelly, Acting Inspector General, all of the Department of Homeland Security; and George A. Scott, Managing Director, Homeland Security and Justice, and Chris Currie, Director, Emergency Management and National Preparedness Issues, both of the Government Accountability Office.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS THERAPIES

Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine cost and competition among rheumatoid arthritis therapies, after receiving testimony from William F. Harvey, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts; Jack Hoadley, Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Health Policy Institute, and Terry G. Mahn, Fish and Richardson P.C., both of Washington, D.C.; and Patricia Bernard, Falmouth, Maine.

Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 20 public bills, H.R. 4957–4976; and 6 resolutions, H. Res. 728–733, were introduced.
Pages H973–74

Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H975–76

Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today.

Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a recorded vote of 210 ayes to 185 noes with three answering ``present'', Roll No. 63.
Pages H905, H967

Mortgage Choice Act: The House considered H.R. 1153, to amend the Truth in Lending Act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction. Further proceedings were postponed.
Pages H906–65

H. Res. 725, the rule providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 772), (H.R. 1153), and (H.R. 4771) was agreed to yesterday, February 6th.

Recess: The House recessed at 6:22 p.m. and reconvened at 6:35 p.m.
Page H965

Motion to Fix Next Convening Time: Agreed by voice vote to the Mitchell motion that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow, February 8th for Morning Hour debate.
Page H965

Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures. Consideration began Monday, February 5th.
War Crimes Rewards Expansion Act: H.R. 3851, amended, to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for rewards for the arrest or conviction of certain foreign nationals who have committed genocide or war crimes, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 407 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 61;
Pages H965–66


Ukraine Cybersecurity Cooperation Act: H.R. 1997, amended, to encourage United States-Ukraine cybersecurity cooperation and require a report regarding such cooperation, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 404 ayes to 3 noes, Roll No. 62;
Pages H966–67


Western Area Power Administration Transparency Act: H.R. 2371, to require the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration to establish a pilot project to provide increased transparency for customers; and
Page H967


Gateway Arch National Park Designation Act: S. 1438, to redesignate the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in the State of Missouri as the ``Gateway Arch National Park''.
Page H968

Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote and two recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H965–66, H966–67, and H967. There were no quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

SENIOR LEADER MISCONDUCT: PREVENTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing entitled ``Senior Leader Misconduct: Prevention and Accountability''. Testimony was heard from Glenn A. Fine, Principal Deputy Inspector General, Department of Defense; Lieutenant General Stayce D. Harris, Inspector General of the Air Force; General James C. McConville, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army; Admiral Bill Moran, Vice Chief of Naval Operations; Brigadier General David A. Ottignon, Inspector General of the Marine Corps; Lieutenant General David E. Quantock, Inspector General of the Army; Vice Admiral Herman Shelanski, Naval Inspector General; General Glenn M. Walters, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps; and General Stephen W. Wilson, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

ENSURING SOCIAL SECURITY SERVES AMERICA'S VETERANS

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing entitled ``Ensuring Social Security Serves America's Veterans''. Testimony was heard from Gina Clemons, Associate Commissioner, Office of Disability Policy, Social Security Administration.

No joint committee meetings were held.

Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Paul C. Ney, Jr., of Tennessee, to be General Counsel, Kevin Fahey, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary, and Thomas E. Ayres, of Pennsylvania, to be General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force, all of the Department of Defense, and Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, Department of Energy, 10:30 a.m., SH–216.

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: business meeting to consider subcommittee assignments for the Second Session of the 115th Congress, and the nominations of Jelena McWilliams, of Ohio, to be Chairperson of the Board of Directors, and to be a Member of the Board of Directors, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Marvin Goodfriend, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Thomas E. Workman, of New York, to be a Member of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, 11 a.m., SD–538.

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold an oversight hearing to examine the evolution of energy infrastructure in the United States and how lessons learned from the past can inform future opportunities, 10 a.m., SD–366.

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine the opioid crisis, focusing on the impact on children and families, 10 a.m., SD–430.

Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S. 1917, to reform sentencing laws and correctional institutions, and the nominations of Kurt D. Engelhardt, of Louisiana, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, Michael B. Brennan, of Wisconsin, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, Barry W. Ashe, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Howard C. Nielson, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the District of Utah, James R. Sweeney II, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana, Susan Paradise Baxter, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Daniel Desmond Domenico, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado, Marilyn Jean Horan, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Adam I. Klein, of the District of Columbia, to be Chairman and Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, and John C. Anderson, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, Brandon J. Fremin, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, Joseph P. Kelly, to be United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska, Scott W. Murray, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, David C. Weiss, to be United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, David G. Jolley, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and Thomas M. Griffin, Jr., to be United States Marshal for the District of South Carolina, all of the Department of Justice, 10:30 a.m., SD–226.

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

No hearings are scheduled.

Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of the House Message to accompany H.R. 695, Defense Appropriations Act, with a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House Message expected at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Program for Thursday: To be announced.

HOUSE

Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga, E154

Brownley, Julia, Calif., E149

Cohen, Steve, Tenn., E156

Collins, Doug, Ga., E151, E152, E154

Davis, Danny K., Ill., E154

Fudge, Marcia L., Ohio, E151

Gaetz, Matt, Fla., E153

Gottheimer, Josh, N.J., E149

Grijalva, Raúl M., Ariz., E151

Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E149

Jackson Lee, Sheila, Tex., E150

Kelly, Trent, Miss., E155, E156, E157, E158, E158, E158, E158, E159

Lee, Barbara, Calif., E152, E155

Lujan Grisham, Michelle, N.M., E153

Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E152

Mast, Brian J., Fla., E150

McCarthy, Kevin, Calif., E155

McCollum, Betty, Minn., E152, E153

Norton, Eleanor Holmes, The District of Columbia, E153

O'Rourke, Beto, Tex., E153

Sanford, Mark, S.C., E156

Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E157

Schneider, Bradley Scott, Ill., E150

Sherman, Brad, Calif., E151

Stefanik, Elise M., N.Y., E155

Walz, Timothy J., Minn., E152

Young, Don, Alaska, E156, E157