Senate Floor Activity - Tuesday, December 16, 2014

The President pro tempore called the Senate to order at 10 a .m., the Chaplain offered a prayer, and Mr. Leahy 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 (Tuesday, December 16)

H.R. 3608 (Rep. Nolan): To amend the Act of October 19, 1973, concerning taxable income to members of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 4030 (Rep. Wilson): To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18640 NW 2nd Avenue in Miami, Florida, as the "Father Richard Marquess-Barry Post Office Building".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 5771 (Rep. Camp): To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions and make technical corrections, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the tax treatment of ABLE accounts established under State programs for the care of family members with disabilities, and for other purposes.

-- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Passed Senate, under the order of 12/16/14, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 76 - 16. Record Vote Number: 364

H.Con.Res. 124 (Rep. Crenshaw): A concurrent resolution providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 5771.

-- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.Con.Res. 125: A concurrent resolution providing for the sine die adjournment of the second session of the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress .

-- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

S. 684 (Sen. Johnson, of SD): To amend the Mni Wiconi Project Act of 1988 to facilitate completion of the Mni Wiconi Rural Water Supply System, and for other purposes.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

S. 1800 (Sen. Barrasso): To require the Secretary of the Interior to submit to Congress a report on the efforts of the Bureau of Reclamation to manage its infrastructure assets.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

S.Res. 226 (Sen. Brown): A resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens and honoring him for his accomplishments and steadfast commitment to promoting the civil rights of all people.

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

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

S.Res. 564 (Sen. Brown): A resolution honoring conservation on the centennial of the passenger pigeon extinction.

-- Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

S.Res. 595 (Sen. Harkin): A resolution recognizing Nobel Laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai for their efforts to end the financial exploitation of children and to ensure the right of all children to an education.

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

Executive Business (Tuesday, December 16)

PN1070: Christopher Smith, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Fossil Energy)

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1083: Richard J. Engler, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board for a term of five years

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1099: Frank A. Rose, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Verification and Compliance)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1164: James Cole, Jr., of New York, to be General Counsel , Department of Education

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1247: Thomas Hicks, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2017

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1250: Helen Tierney, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1256: Charles P. Rose, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring May 26, 2019

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1257: Mark Thomas Nethery, of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2018

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1258: Anne J. Udall, of Oregon, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2016

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1259: Camilla C. Feibelman, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring April 15, 2017

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1267: Mark E. Lopes, of Arizona, to be United States Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of three years

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1276: Martha L. Minow, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1278: Gloria Valencia-Weber, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1279: Laurie I. Mikva, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2016

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1280: Victor B. Maddox, of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2016

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1282: John Gerson Levi, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1284: Charles Norman Wiltse Keckler, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2016

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1285: Robert James Grey, Jr., of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1296: Paige Eve Alexander, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1297: John Charles Cruden, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1345: Stephen R. Bough, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri

-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 38. Record Vote Number: 365

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 38. Record Vote Number: 366

PN1370: Manuel H. Ehrlich, Jr., of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board for a term of five years

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1498: Karen Kornbluh, of New York, to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2016

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1504: Estevan R. Lopez, of New Mexico, to be Commissioner of Reclamation

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1561: Jonathan Nicholas Stivers, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1732: Marcus Dwayne Jadotte, of Florida, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1753: Daniel J. Santos, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board for a term expiring October 18, 2017

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1804: Arthur Lee Bentley III, of Florida, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida for the term of four years

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1806: David Rivera, of Tennessee, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee for the term of four years

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1813: Amos L. Mazzant, III, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1814: Robert Lee Pitman, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1815: Robert William Schroeder III, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1840: Jess Lippincott Baily, of Ohio, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1842: Robert Francis Cekuta, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1847: Margaret Ann Uyehara, of Ohio, to be Ambassador to Montenegro

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1852: Richard M. Mills, Jr., of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1870: Matthew Vincent Masterson, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2017

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1871: Christy A. McCormick, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2015

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1916: James L. Huffman, of Oregon, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2020

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1941: Allison Dale Burroughs, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1942: Amit Priyavadan Mehta, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1979: Jorge Luis Alonso, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1980: John Robert Blakey, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1986: Colette Dodson Honorable, of Arkansas, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2017

-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 65 - 28. Record Vote Number: 363

-- Considered by Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1996: Sarah R. Saldana, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 41. Record Vote Number: 359

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 55 - 39. Record Vote Number: 360

PN2017: Haywood Stirling Gilliam, Jr., of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2021: Robert M. Scher, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2024: Isobel Coleman, of New York, to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U. N. Management and Reform, with the rank of Ambassador

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2025: Isobel Coleman, of New York, as an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N . Management and Reform

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2065: Joseph Pius Pietrzyk, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2077: Joan Marie Azrack, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2079: Loretta Copeland Biggs, of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2080: Elizabeth K. Dillon, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Virginia

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 12/16/2014.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2089: David J. Berteau, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2092: Michael P. O'Rielly, of New York, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of five years from July 1, 2014

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

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2104: Leigh A. Bradley, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2123: Antony Blinken, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of State

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 40. Record Vote Number: 361

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 55 - 38. Record Vote Number: 362

PN2127: Nicholas J. Rasmussen, of Virginia, to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN2186: Mark R. Rosekind, of California, to be Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. Pryor, at 11:25 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 12 noon on Tuesday, January 6, 2015.