Senate Floor Activity - Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Mr. Edward J. Markey, from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, called the Senate to order at 9:30 a.m., the Chaplain offered a prayer, and Mr. Markey 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 (Wednesday, February 12)

H.R. 3080 (Rep. Shuster): 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, and for other purposes .

-- Senate appointed conferee(s) Sanders by unanimous consent.

H.Con.Res. 81 (Rep. Harper): A concurrent resolution providing a correction in the enrollment of S. 25.

-- Received in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.Con.Res. 82 (Rep. Harper): A concurrent resolution providing a correction in the enrollment of S. 540.

-- Received in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S. 25 (Sen. Hatch): To ensure that the reduced annual cost-of-living adjustment to the retired pay of members and former members of the Armed Forces under the age of 62 required by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 will not apply to members or former members who first became members prior to January 1, 2014, and for other purposes.

-- Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

-- Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate bill by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 3. Record Vote Number: 35

-- Message on Senate action sent to the House.

S. 540 (Sen. Shaheen): To temporarily extend the public debt limit, and for other purposes.

-- Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

-- Cloture motion on the motion to concur in House amendment to Senate bill presented in Senate.

-- Cloture on the motion to concur in House amendment to Senate bill invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 67 - 31. Record Vote Number: 33

-- Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate bill by Yea-Nay Vote. 55 - 43. Record Vote Number: 34

-- Message on Senate action sent to the House.

S. 1254 (Sen. Nelson): To amend the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998, and for other purposes .

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2741 (Sen. Nelson): To make a minor technical correction .

-- Amendment SA 2741 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Nelson.

-- Amendment SA 2741 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S. 1982 (Sen. Sanders): To improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes.

-- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate.

-- Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate.

S.Res. 350 (Sen. Booker): A resolution designating February 14, 2014, as National Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care.

-- Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2742 (Sen. Booker): Of a perfecting nature.

-- Amendment SA 2742 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Booker.

-- Amendment SA 2742 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2743 (Sen. Booker): To amend the preamble.

-- Amendment SA 2743 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Booker.

-- Amendment SA 2743 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 358 (Sen. Cantwell): A resolution commending the Seattle Seahawks for winning Super Bowl XLVIII and the 12th Man for their critical support .

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

S.Res. 359 (Sen. Reid): A resolution to constitute the majority party's membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen.

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

Executive Business (Wednesday, February 12)

PN1050: William A. LaPlante, Jr., of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1053: Brad R. Carson, of Oklahoma, to be Under Secretary of the Army

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1110: Anthony Luzzatto Gardner, of New York, to be Representative of the United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote today.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1114: Tina S. Kaidanow, of the District of Columbia, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 98 - 0. Record Vote Number: 30

PN1119: Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of five years; United States Alternate Governor of the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of five years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 97 - 0. Record Vote Number: 32

PN1121: Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of State (Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1127: Robert A. Sherman, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote today.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1178: Daniel Bennett Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 98 - 0. Record Vote Number: 31

PN1192: Jeffrey Alker Meyer, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut

-- Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of nomination made in Senate by Voice Vote.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum under Rule XXII waived.

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

PN1193: James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

-- Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of nomination made in Senate by Voice Vote.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum under Rule XXII waived.

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

PN1194: Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

-- Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of nomination made in Senate by Voice Vote.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum under Rule XXII waived.

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

PN1203: James Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas

-- Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of nomination made in Senate by Voice Vote.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum under Rule XXII waived.

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

PN1234: Andrew Mark Luger, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for the term of four years

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote today.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1236: Kevin W. Techau, of Iowa, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of four years

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote today.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1237: Gary Blankinship, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote today.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1238: Robert L. Hobbs, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas for the term of four years

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote today.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1239: Amos Rojas, Jr., of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida for the term of four years

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote today.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1240: Peter C. Tobin, of Ohio, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio for a term of four years

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote today.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1300: Brig. Gen. William D. Cobetto, in the Air Force, to be Major General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1301: Brig. Gen. Bart O. Iddins, in the Air Force, to be Major General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1302-1: 28 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Colonel Roy-Alan C. Agustin and ending with Colonel Mark E. Weatherington

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1303: Teresa G. Paris, in the Air Force, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1304: Joel K. Warren, in the Air Force, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1305: 2 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Jeffrey P. Tan and ending with Cristalle A. Cox

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1306: 17 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Robert D. Coxwell and ending with Scot L. Williams

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1307: David W. Bryant, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1308: 14 nominations in the Army beginning with Joseph B. Berger III and ending with William D. Smoot III

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1318: 3 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Colonel Dennis J. Gallegos and ending with Colonel John S. Tuohy

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1319-1: 2 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Colonel Paul D. Jacobs and ending with Colonel Timothy P. O'Brien

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1320-1: 2 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Brigadier General Cassie A. Strom and ending with Brigadier General Kenneth W. Wisian

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1321: 12 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Brigadier General Daryl L. Bohac and ending with Brigadier General Robert S. Williams

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1322: 22 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Brigadier General Christopher J. Bence and ending with Brigadier General Mark W. Westergren

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1325: Lt. Gen. David D. Halverson, in the Army, to be Lieutenant General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1326: Col. Stuart W. Risch, in the Army, to be Brigadier General, Judge Advocate General's Corps

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1328: 14 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Therese A. Bohusch and ending with James A. Stephenson

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1331: 49 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Richard T. Barker and ending with Ian P. Wiechert

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1333: 77 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Jenara L. Allen and ending with Derrick A. Zech

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1334: 123 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Erin E. Artz and ending with Todd K. Zuber

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1336: 276 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Adam L. Ackerman and ending with Kristen P. Zeligs

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1337: 29 nominations in the Army beginning with Joseph A. Anderson and ending with D011695

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1338: 67 nominations in the Army beginning with Victor M. Anda and ending with Joshua A. Worley

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1339: 159 nominations in the Army beginning with Tracy K. Abenoja and ending with Daniel J. Yourk

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1340: 185 nominations in the Army beginning with Harris A . Abbasi and ending with David M. Zupancic

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1359: Col. Paul W. Tibbets IV, in the Air Force, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1360: 2 nominations in the Army beginning with Stephen E. Forsyth, Jr. and ending with Eric J. Frye

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. Harry Reid, at 6:46 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 14, 2014.