Senate Floor Activity - Thursday, April 7, 2016

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 (Thursday, April 7)

H.R. 636 (Rep. Tiberi): To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend increased expensing limitations, and for other purposes .

-- Considered by Senate.

S.Amdt. 3458 (Sen. Casey): To protect passengers in air transportation, pilots, and flight attendants from terrorists and mentally unstable individuals by requiring the installation of secondary barriers to prevent cockpit intrusions.

-- Amendment SA 3458 proposed by Senator Thune for Senator Casey to Amendment SA 3464.

-- Amendment SA 3458 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3460 (Sen. Gardner): To require the FAA Administrator to consider the operational history of a person before authorizing the person to operate certain unmanned aircraft systems.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

S.Amdt. 3464 (Sen. Thune): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

S.Amdt. 3482 (Sen. Heinrich): To expand and enhance visible deterrents at major transportation hubs and to increase the resources to protect and secure the United States.

-- Amendment SA 3482 proposed by Senator Heinrich to Amendment SA 3464.

-- Amendment SA 3482 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 91 - 5. Record Vote Number: 42

S.Amdt. 3483 (Sen. Schumer): To require the Federal Aviation Administration to establish minimum standards for space for passengers on passenger aircraft .

-- Amendment SA 3483 proposed by Senator Nelson for Senator Schumer to Amendment SA 3464.

-- Amendment SA 3483 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 42 - 54. Record Vote Number: 43

S.Amdt. 3490 (Sen. Cantwell): To extend protections against physical assault to air carrier customer service representatives.

-- Amendment SA 3490 proposed by Senator Cantwell to Amendment SA 3464.

S.Amdt. 3495 (Sen. Heller): To improve employment opportunities for veterans by requiring the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to determine whether occupations at the Administration relating to unmanned aircraft systems technology and regulations can be incorporated into the Veterans Employment Program of the Administration.

-- Amendment SA 3495 proposed by Senator Thune for Senator Heller to Amendment SA 3464.

-- Amendment SA 3495 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3499 (Sen. Wyden): To require a review of heads-up guidance system displays.

-- Amendment SA 3499 proposed by Senator Thune for Senator Wyden to Amendment SA 3464.

-- Amendment SA 3499 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3505 (Sen. Tester): To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to study the costs of deploying advanced imaging technologies at all commercial airports at which TSA security screening operations procedures are conducted.

-- Amendment SA 3505 proposed by Senator Thune for Senator Tester to Amendment SA 3464.

-- Amendment SA 3505 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3508 (Sen. Collins): To continue the contract weather observers program through the end of fiscal year 2017 and to require the FAA report to identify the process through which the FAA analyzed the safety hazards associated with the elimination of the contract weather observer program .

-- Amendment SA 3508 proposed by Senator Thune for Senator Collins to Amendment SA 3464.

-- Amendment SA 3508 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.Amdt. 3512 (Sen. Thune): To enhance airport security, and for other purposes.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Amendment SA 3512 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 85 - 10. Record Vote Number: 41

S.Amdt. 3524 (Sen. Bennet): To improve air service for families and pregnant women.

-- Amendment SA 3524 proposed by Senator Nelson for Senator Bennet to Amendment SA 3464.

S. 192 (Sen. Alexander): To reauthorize the Older Americans Act of 1965, and for other purposes.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate bill by Voice Vote.

-- Message on Senate action sent to the House.

S.Res. 392 (Sen. Leahy): A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the prosecution and conviction of former President Mohamed Nasheed without due process and urging the Government of the Maldives to take all necessary steps to redress this injustice, to release all political prisoners, and to ensure due process and freedom from political prosecution for all the people of the Maldives.

-- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. Thune, at 5:06 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 3 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2016.