Senate Floor Activity - Wednesday, June 17, 2015

The President pro tempore called the Senate to order at 9:30 a.m., the Chaplain offered a prayer, and the President pro tempore 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, June 17)

H.R. 1735 (Rep. Thornberry): To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 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.

-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 14. Record Vote Number: 214

S.Amdt. 1456 (Sen. McCain): To require additional information supporting long-range plans for construction of naval vessels.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Amendment SA 1456 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 1463 (Sen. McCain): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Amendment SA 1463 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 1486 (Sen. Cornyn): To require reporting on energy security issues involving Europe and the Russian Federation, and to express the sense of Congress regarding ways the United States could help vulnerable allies and partners with energy security.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Point of order that the amendment is not germane raised in Senate with respect to amendment SA 1486.

-- Amendment SA 1486 ruled non-germane by the chair.

S.Amdt. 1543 (Sen. Paul): To strengthen employee cost savings suggestions programs within the Federal Government.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Point of order that the amendment is not germane raised in Senate with respect to amendment SA 1543 as modified.

-- Amendment SA 1543 as modified ruled non-germane by the chair.

S.Amdt. 1559 (Sen. Durbin): To prohibit the award of Department of Defense contracts to inverted domestic corporations.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Point of order that the amendment is not germane raised in Senate with respect to amendment SA 1559 as modified.

-- Amendment SA 1559 as modified ruled non-germane by the chair.

S.Amdt. 1564 (Sen. Blumenthal): To enhance protections accorded to servicemembers and their spouses.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Point of order that the amendment is not germane raised in Senate with respect to amendment SA 1564 as modified.

-- Amendment SA 1564 as modified ruled non-germane by the chair.

S.Amdt. 1645 (Sen. Markey): To express the sense of Congress that exports of crude oil to United States allies and partners should not be determined to be consistent with the national interest if those exports would increase energy prices in the United States for American consumers or businesses or increase the reliance of the United States on imported oil .

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Point of order that the amendment is not germane raised in Senate with respect to amendment SA 1645.

-- Amendment SA 1645 ruled non-germane by the chair.

S.Amdt. 1825 (Sen. Fischer): To authorize appropriations for national security aspects of the Merchant Marine for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, and for other purposes.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Point of order that the amendment is not germane raised in Senate with respect to amendment SA 1825.

-- Amendment SA 1825 ruled non-germane by the chair.

S.Amdt. 1911 (Sen. Hatch): To study the impact of commissary privatization prior to initiating a pilot program and to require a report on the Department of Defense definition of and policy regarding software sustainment.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Amendment SA 1911 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Res. 203 (Sen. Alexander): A resolution designating June 20, 2015, as "American Eagle Day" and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.

-- 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. Moran, at 5:05 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.