Senate Floor Activity - Thursday, November 29, 2012

Mr. Tom Udall, from the State of New Mexico, called the Senate to order at 9:30 a.m., the Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl, Senior Rabbi of Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto, Canada, offered a prayer, and Mr. Udall led the Senate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

The Journal

Pursuant to the order of yesterday, the Journal of the proceedings of the Senate was deemed approved to date.

Certain Procedures Dispensed With

Pursuant to the order of yesterday, the morning hour being deemed expired, and the times for the recognition of the two leaders being reserved.

Transaction of Morning Business

Pursuant to the order of yesterday, the Senate proceeded to a period for the transaction of morning business.

Legislative Business (Thursday, November 29)

S. 3254 (Sen. Levin): An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 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.

-- Considered by Senate.

S.Amdt. 2888 (Sen. Kohl): To provide for the payment of a benefit for the nonparticipation of eligible members in the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program due to Government error.

-- Amendment SA 2888 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Kohl.

-- Amendment SA 2888 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2924 (Sen. Manchin): To require an additional element in the report on the accuracy of the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System .

-- Amendment SA 2924 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Manchin.

-- Amendment SA 2924 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2929 (Sen. McCaskill): To improve authorities and limitations relating to wartime contracting and other acquisition-related provisions .

-- Amendment SA 2929 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator McCaskill.

-- Amendment SA 2929 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2940 (Sen. Blumenthal): To provide certain requirements relating to the retirement, adoption, care, and recognition of military working dogs .

-- Amendment SA 2940 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Blumenthal.

-- Amendment SA 2940 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2942 (Sen. McCaskill): To expand whistleblower protections to non-Defense contractor and grantee employees.

-- Amendment SA 2942 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator McCaskill.

-- Amendment SA 2942 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2948 (Sen. Webb): To extend the authority to provide a temporary increase in rates of basic allowance for housing under certain circumstances.

-- Amendment SA 2948 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Webb.

-- Amendment SA 2948 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2949 (Sen. Webb): To extend the temporary increase in accumulated leave carryover for members of the Armed Forces.

-- Amendment SA 2949 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Webb.

-- Amendment SA 2949 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2956 (Sen. Portman): To require a report on Department of Defense efforts to standardize educational transcripts issued to separating member of the Armed Forces.

-- Amendment SA 2956 proposed by Senator Portman.

-- Amendment SA 2956 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 2960 (Sen. Wyden): To require a report on mechanisms to ease the reintegration into civilian life of members of the National Guard and the Reserves following a deployment on active duty.

-- Amendment SA 2960 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Wyden.

-- Amendment SA 2960 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2962 (Sen. Sessions): To express the sense of Congress on the submittal to Congress of the homeland defense hedging policy and strategy of the Secretary of Defense.

-- Amendment SA 2962 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Sessions.

-- Amendment SA 2962 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2963 (Sen. Sessions): To authorize the posthumous honorary promotion of Sergeant Paschal Conley to second lieutenant in the Army .

-- Amendment SA 2963 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Sessions.

-- Amendment SA 2963 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2966 (Sen. Hatch): To reauthorize and expand the multi-trades demonstration project.

-- Amendment SA 2966 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Hatch.

-- Amendment SA 2966 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2969 (Sen. Heller): To require a report on the future availability of TRICARE Prime throughout the United States.

-- Amendment SA 2969 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Heller.

-- Amendment SA 2969 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2971 (Sen. Inhofe): To express the sense of the Senate on the protection of Department of Defense airfields, training airspace, and air training routes.

-- Amendment SA 2971 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Inhofe.

-- Amendment SA 2971 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2972 (Sen. Inhofe): To express the sense of Congress that the bugle call commonly known as "Taps" should be designated as the National Song of Military Remembrance.

-- Amendment SA 2972 proposed by Senator Inhofe.

-- Amendment SA 2972 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2973 (Sen. Inhofe): To express the sense of the Senate on training of mental health counselors for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.

-- Amendment SA 2973 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Inhofe.

-- Amendment SA 2973 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2980 (Sen. Boxer): To require an Inspector General of the Department of Defense report on allowable costs of compensation of employees of Department of Defense contractors.

-- Amendment SA 2980 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Boxer.

-- Amendment SA 2980 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2981 (Sen. Boxer): To prohibit the issuance of a waiver for commissioning or enlistment in the Armed Forces for any individual convicted of a felony sexual offense.

-- Amendment SA 2981 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Boxer.

-- Amendment SA 2981 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2986 (Sen. Casey): To require contractors to notify small business concerns that they have been included in offers relating to contracts let by Federal agencies.

-- Amendment SA 2986 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Casey.

-- Amendment SA 2986 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2989 (Sen. Murray): To extend the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor to carry out a program of referral and counseling services to veterans at risk of homelessness who are transitioning from certain institutions.

-- Amendment SA 2989 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Murray.

-- Amendment SA 2989 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2991 (Sen. Hoeven): To express the sense of the Senate on the maintenance by the United States of a triad of strategic nuclear delivery systems.

-- Amendment SA 2991 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Hoeven.

-- Amendment SA 2991 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2994 (Sen. Casey): To require a report on a program on the return of rare earth phosphors from Department of Defense fluorescent lighting waste to the domestic rare earth supply chain.

-- Amendment SA 2994 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Casey.

-- Amendment SA 2994 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2995 (Sen. Portman): To enhance authorities relating to the admission of defense industry civilians to certain Department of Defense educational institutions and programs.

-- Amendment SA 2995 proposed by Senator Portman.

-- Amendment SA 2995 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3018 (Sen. Feinstein): To clarify that an authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority shall not authorize the detention without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.

-- Amendment SA 3018 proposed by Senator Feinstein.

-- Amendment SA 3018 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 67 - 29. Record Vote Number: 213

S.Amdt. 3036 (Sen. Brown, of MA): To require reports on the potential security threat posed by Boko Haram.

-- Amendment SA 3036 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Brown MA.

-- Amendment SA 3036 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3058 (Sen. Gillibrand): To provide for certain treatment of autism under the TRICARE program.

-- Amendment SA 3058 proposed by Senator Gillibrand.

-- Amendment SA 3058 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 66 - 29. Record Vote Number: 211

S.Amdt. 3059 (Sen. Toomey): To require a report on the establishment of a joint Armed Forces historical storage and preservation facility .

-- Amendment SA 3059 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Toomey.

-- Amendment SA 3059 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3064 (Sen. Toomey): To require a study on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle industrial base.

-- Amendment SA 3064 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Toomey.

-- Amendment SA 3064 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3072 (Sen. Inhofe): To express the sense of Senate on increasing the cost-effectiveness of training exercises for members of the Armed Forces .

-- Amendment SA 3072 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Inhofe.

-- Amendment SA 3072 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3083 (Sen. Barrasso): To authorize the Secretary of Defense to maintain the readiness and flexibility of the intercontinental ballistic missile force.

-- Amendment SA 3083 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Barrasso.

-- Amendment SA 3083 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3085 (Sen. Vitter): To require additional elements in the plan on the rationalization of cyber networks and cyber personnel of the Department of Defense.

-- Amendment SA 3085 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Vitter.

-- Amendment SA 3085 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3086 (Sen. Vitter): To require assessments by the Air Force of the effects of proposed movements of airframes on joint readiness training .

-- Amendment SA 3086 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Vitter.

-- Amendment SA 3086 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3090 (Sen. Lieberman): To improve the provision of assistance to fire departments and to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration .

-- Amendment SA 3090 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Lieberman.

-- Amendment SA 3090 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3095 (Sen. Hagan): To strike the prohibition on biofuel refinery construction.

-- Amendment SA 3095 proposed by Senator Hagan.

-- Amendment SA 3095 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 41. Record Vote Number: 209

S.Amdt. 3096 (Sen. Merkley): To express the sense of Congress on the accelerated transition of United States combat and military and security operations to the Government of Afghanistan.

-- Amendment SA 3096 proposed by Senator Merkley.

-- Amendment SA 3096 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 62 - 33. Record Vote Number: 210

S.Amdt. 3098 (Sen. Shaheen): To require a report by the suspension and debarment officials of the military departments and the Defense Logistics Agency.

-- Amendment SA 3098 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Shaheen.

-- Amendment SA 3098 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3110 (Sen. Coburn): To require a report on the balances carried forward by the Department of Defense at the end of fiscal year 2012 .

-- Amendment SA 3110 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Coburn.

-- Amendment SA 3110 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3114 (Sen. Levin): To authorize the repair, overhaul, and refurbishment of defense articles for sale or transfer to eligible foreign countries and entities.

-- Amendment SA 3114 proposed by Senator Levin.

-- Amendment SA 3114 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3123 (Sen. Kyl): To require briefings on dialogue between the United States and the Russian Federation on nuclear arms, missile defense, and long-range conventional strike systems.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

S.Amdt. 3124 (Sen. Blumenthal): To prevent human trafficking in government contracting.

-- Amendment SA 3124 proposed by Senator Blumenthal.

-- Amendment SA 3124 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3158 (Sen. Cornyn): To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a plan to reduce the current backlog of veterans claims .

-- Amendment SA 3158 proposed by Senator Cornyn.

-- Amendment SA 3158 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 0. Record Vote Number: 208

S.Amdt. 3166 (Sen. Manchin): To require a report on the future of family support programs of the Department of Defense.

-- Amendment SA 3166 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Manchin.

-- Amendment SA 3166 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3180 (Sen. Whitehouse): To provide for scientific frameworks with respect to recalcitrant cancers.

-- Amendment SA 3180 proposed by Senator Whitehouse.

-- Amendment SA 3180 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3186 (Sen. Coburn): To require a study on small arms and ammunition acquisition.

-- Amendment SA 3186 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Coburn.

-- Amendment SA 3186 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3193 (Sen. Casey): To require the Department of Defense to develop a plan to promote the security of Afghan women and girls during the security transition process.

-- Amendment SA 3193 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Casey.

-- Amendment SA 3193 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3199 (Sen. Durbin): To impose sanctions with respect to persons that provide significant financial, material, or technological support to the rebel group known as M23 operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo .

-- Amendment SA 3199 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Durbin.

-- Amendment SA 3199 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3201 (Sen. Coons): To express the sense of the Senate on ongoing efforts to apprehend or remove Joseph Kony and his top commanders from the battlefield and end atrocities perpetuated by his Lord's Resistance Army .

-- Amendment SA 3201 proposed by Senator Inhofe for Senator Coons.

-- Amendment SA 3201 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3213 (Sen. Risch): To add the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives to the list of congressional committees to receive the submission of reports on the program for scientific engagement for nonproliferation.

-- Amendment SA 3213 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Risch.

-- Amendment SA 3213 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3220 (Sen. Wicker): To express the sense of Congress in support of the Israeli Iron Dome defensive weapon system.

-- Amendment SA 3220 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Wicker.

-- Amendment SA 3220 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3222 (Sen. Johanns): To express the expectation of Congress to be consulted by the Secretary of Defense before the Secretary pursues a change in the command status of the United States Cyber Command .

-- Amendment SA 3222 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Johanns.

-- Amendment SA 3222 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3230 (Sen. Boxer): To reauthorize and modify the responsibilities of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy through fiscal year 2014.

-- Amendment SA 3230 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Boxer.

-- Amendment SA 3230 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3232 (Sen. Menendez): To enhance sanctions imposed with respect to Iran .

-- Amendment SA 3232 proposed by Senator Menendez.

S.Amdt. 3237 (Sen. Coburn): To set forth consequences for the failure of the Department of Defense to obtain audits with an unqualified opinion on its financial statements by fiscal year 2017.

-- Amendment SA 3237 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Coburn.

-- Amendment SA 3237 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3243 (Sen. Levin): To commend the Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

-- Amendment SA 3243 proposed by Senator Levin.

-- Amendment SA 3243 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3245 (Sen. Ayotte): To prohibit the use of funds for the transfer or release of certain individuals from United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

-- Amendment SA 3245 proposed by Senator Ayotte.

-- Amendment SA 3245 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 41. Record Vote Number: 212

S.Amdt. 3256 (Sen. Lieberman): To require reports from the Comptroller General of the United States on certain aspects of joint professional military education.

-- Amendment SA 3256 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Lieberman.

-- Amendment SA 3256 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3260 (Sen. Cornyn): To prohibit the use of funds to enter into contracts or agreements with Rosoboronexport.

-- Amendment SA 3260 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Cornyn.

-- Amendment SA 3260 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3261 (Sen. McCain): To require the submittal to Congress of risk assessments on changes in United States troop levels in Afghanistan .

-- Amendment SA 3261 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator McCain.

-- Amendment SA 3261 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3271 (Sen. Kyl): to promote the development of an adequate, reliable, and stable supply of critical and essential minerals in the United States in order to strengthen and sustain the military readiness, national security, and critical infrastructure of the United States .

-- Amendment SA 3271 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Kyl.

-- Amendment SA 3271 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3275 (Sen. Webb): To express the sense of the Senate on the situation in the Senkaku Islands.

-- Amendment SA 3275 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Webb.

-- Amendment SA 3275 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3279 (Sen. Nelson, of NE): To express the sense of Congress that external and independent oversight of the National Nuclear Security Administration by the Department of Energy is critical to the mission of protecting the United States nuclear security enterprise.

-- Amendment SA 3279 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Nelson NE.

-- Amendment SA 3279 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S. 3542 (Sen. Klobuchar): To authorize the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to modify screening requirements for checked baggage arriving from preclearance airports, and for other purposes.

-- Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3286 (Sen. Klobuchar): To include the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate in the committees to which the report on re-screening of baggage is required to be submitted.

-- Amendment SA 3286 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Klobuchar.

-- Amendment SA 3286 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 600 (Sen. Shaheen): A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month.

-- Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 3287 (Sen. Shaheen): To make minor changes to the preamble .

-- Amendment SA 3287 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Shaheen.

-- Amendment SA 3287 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 603 (Sen. Inouye): A resolution designating the week of November 26 through November 30, 2012, as National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week .

-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 604 (Sen. Shaheen): A resolution relative to the death of the Honorable Warren B. Rudman, former United States Senator for the State of New Hampshire.

-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. Levin, at 11:37 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 9:15 a.m. tomorrow.