Senate Floor Activity - Monday, September 18, 2017

Mr. Todd Young, from the State of Indiana, called the Senate to order at 3 p.m., the Chaplain offered a prayer, and Mr. Young 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 Thursday, September 14, 2017, the Journal of the proceedings of the Senate was deemed approved to date.

Certain Procedures Dispensed With

Pursuant to the order of Thursday, September 14, 2017, 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 Thursday, September 14, 2017, the Senate proceeded to a period for the transaction of morning business.

Legislative Business (Monday, September 18)

H.R. 2810 (Rep. Thornberry): To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2018 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. 90 - 7. Record Vote Number: 198

-- Passed Senate with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 89 - 8. Record Vote Number: 199

-- Senate ordered measure printed as passed.

S.Amdt. 277 (Sen. Kaine): To provide for the establishment of a visitor services facility on the Arlington Ridge tract, Virginia .

-- Amendment SA 277 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Kaine.

-- Amendment SA 277 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 434 (Sen. Tester): To convert the authority for a National Language Service Corps into a requirement for such a Corps.

-- Amendment SA 434 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Tester.

-- Amendment SA 434 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 470 (Sen. Lee): Relating to mechanisms to facilitate the obtaining by military spouses of occupational licenses or credentials in other States .

-- Amendment SA 470 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Lee.

-- Amendment SA 470 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 545 (Sen. McCain): To strike the section relating to the treatment of storm water collection systems as utility systems.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Proposed amendment SA 545 withdrawn in Senate.

S.Amdt. 574 (Sen. Heitkamp): To expand the SkillBridge initiative to include participation by Federal agencies.

-- Amendment SA 574 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Heitkamp.

-- Amendment SA 574 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 601 (Sen. Moran): To require the Secretary of Defense to declassify certain documents related to incidents in which members of the Armed Forces were exposed to toxic substances.

-- Amendment SA 601 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Moran.

-- Amendment SA 601 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 660 (Sen. Merkley): To treat the service of recipients of Boren scholarships and fellowships in excepted service positions as service by such recipients under career appointments for purpose of career tenure under title 5, United States Code.

-- Amendment SA 660 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Merkley.

-- Amendment SA 660 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 712 (Sen. Portman): To require a plan to meet the demand for cyberspace career fields in the reserve components of the Armed Forces .

-- Amendment SA 712 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Portman.

-- Amendment SA 712 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 750 (Sen. Whitehouse): To extend temporarily the extended period of protection for members of uniformed services relating to mortgages, mortgage foreclosure, and eviction.

-- Amendment SA 750 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Whitehouse.

-- Amendment SA 750 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 756 (Sen. Van Hollen): To require a report on compliance with Department of Defense and Service policies regarding runway clear zones .

-- Amendment SA 756 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Van Hollen.

-- Amendment SA 756 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 780 (Sen. Inhofe): To increase the maximum term for intergovernmental support agreements to provide installation support services .

-- Amendment SA 780 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Inhofe.

-- Amendment SA 780 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 833 (Sen. Murray): To provide for the promotion of financial literacy concerning retirement among members of the Armed Forces .

-- Amendment SA 833 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Murray.

-- Amendment SA 833 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 873 (Sen. Ernst): To require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to submit to Congress a report on the utilization of small businesses with respect to certain Federal contracts.

-- Amendment SA 873 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Ernst.

-- Amendment SA 873 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 874 (Sen. McCain): To limit authorized cost increases in military construction projects.

-- Amendment SA 874 proposed by Senator McCain.

-- Amendment SA 874 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 879 (Sen. Johnson): To amend title 46, United States Code, to provide greater flexibility to the Coast Guard in deciding the Federal district court in which to prosecute individuals engaged in drug trafficking .

-- Amendment SA 879 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Johnson.

-- Amendment SA 879 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 890 (Sen. Brown): To ensure the continued designation of the Secretary of the Air Force as the Department of Defense Executive Agent for the program carried out under title III of the Defense Production Act of 1950.

-- Amendment SA 890 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Brown.

-- Amendment SA 890 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 900 (Sen. Cardin): To require a report on the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center ( NBACC) and to provide a limitation on use of funds.

-- Amendment SA 900 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Cardin.

-- Amendment SA 900 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 903 (Sen. Leahy): To require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a feasibility study and cost estimate for a pilot program that uses predictive analytics and screening to identify mental health risk and provide early, targeted intervention for part-time members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.

-- Amendment SA 903 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Leahy.

-- Amendment SA 903 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 904 (Sen. Baldwin): To prohibit or suspend certain health care providers from providing non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care services to veterans.

-- Amendment SA 904 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Baldwin.

-- Amendment SA 904 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 908 (Sen. Murkowski): To authorize the modification of the Second Division Memorial.

-- Amendment SA 908 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Murkowski.

-- Amendment SA 908 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 927 (Sen. Rubio): Requiring a report on the availability of postsecondary credit for skills acquired during military service .

-- Amendment SA 927 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Rubio.

-- Amendment SA 927 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 943 (Sen. Isakson): To authorize the Secretary of the Air Force to enter into an agreement providing for the joint use of Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Marietta, Georgia, with civil aviation.

-- Amendment SA 943 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Isakson.

-- Amendment SA 943 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 945 (Sen. Flake): To require information on Department of Defense funding in Department press releases and related public statements on programs, projects, and activities funded by the Department .

-- Amendment SA 945 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Flake.

-- Amendment SA 945 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 950 (Sen. Peters): To authorize the Secretary of the Air Force to increase the Primary Aircraft Authorization of Air force or Air National Guard A-10 aircraft units in the event conversion of an A-10 unit is in the best interest of a long-term Air Force mission.

-- Amendment SA 950 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Peters.

-- Amendment SA 950 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 976 (Sen. Heitkamp): To express the sense of Congress on use of test sites for research and development on countering unmanned aircraft systems .

-- Amendment SA 976 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Heitkamp.

-- Amendment SA 976 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 995 (Sen. Cantwell): To extend the authorization of the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health.

-- Amendment SA 995 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Cantwell.

-- Amendment SA 995 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1003 (Sen. McCain): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Amendment SA 1003 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1006 (Sen. Moran): To modernize Government information technology, and for other purposes.

-- Amendment SA 1006 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Moran.

-- Amendment SA 1006 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1014 (Sen. Stabenow): To require the Government Accountability Office to evaluate Buy American training policies for the Defense acquisition workforce.

-- Amendment SA 1014 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Stabenow.

-- Amendment SA 1014 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1015 (Sen. Whitehouse): To encourage the United States Trade Representative to consider the impact of marine debris in future trade agreements.

-- Amendment SA 1015 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Whitehouse.

-- Amendment SA 1015 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1021 (Sen. Harris): To require a review of effects of personnel requirements and limitations on the availability of members of the National Guard for the performance of funeral honors duty for veterans .

-- Amendment SA 1021 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Harris.

-- Amendment SA 1021 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1023 (Sen. Sanders): To authorize the provision of support for Beyond Yellow Ribbon programs.

-- Amendment SA 1023 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Sanders.

-- Amendment SA 1023 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1031 (Sen. Tillis): To require a certification and report related to the enhanced multi mission parachute system.

-- Amendment SA 1031 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Tillis.

-- Amendment SA 1031 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1032 (Sen. Isakson): To prohibit the availability of funds for retirment of E-8 JSTARS aircraft.

-- Amendment SA 1032 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Isakson.

-- Amendment SA 1032 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1033 (Sen. Perdue): To require a report related to the E-8C JSTARS recapitalization program.

-- Amendment SA 1033 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Perdue.

-- Amendment SA 1033 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1034 (Sen. Strange): To express the sense of Congress regarding fire protection in Department of Defense facilities.

-- Amendment SA 1034 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Strange.

-- Amendment SA 1034 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1038 (Sen. Lankford): To ensure transparency in acquisition programs .

-- Amendment SA 1038 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Lankford.

-- Amendment SA 1038 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1039 (Sen. Rounds): To devolve acquisition authority from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the military services.

-- Amendment SA 1039 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Rounds.

-- Amendment SA 1039 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1050 (Sen. Scott): To increase funding for research, development, test, and evaluation for historically Black colleges and universities, and other minority-serving institutions of higher education .

-- Amendment SA 1050 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Scott.

-- Amendment SA 1050 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1055 (Sen. Portman): To require a report on cyber applications of blockchain technology.

-- Amendment SA 1055 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Portman.

-- Amendment SA 1055 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1063 (Sen. Tillis): To modify the definition of custom-developed computer software.

-- Amendment SA 1063 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Tillis.

-- Amendment SA 1063 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1065 (Sen. Cantwell): To increase funding for environmental restoration for the Air Force, and to provide an offset.

-- Amendment SA 1065 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Cantwell.

-- Amendment SA 1065 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1073 (Sen. Sullivan): To improve section 1653, relating to ground-based interceptor capability, capacity, and reliability.

-- Amendment SA 1073 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Sullivan.

-- Amendment SA 1073 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1086 (Sen. Strange): To authorize $600,000,000 in increased funding for the procurement of one Littoral Combat Ship for the Navy above the President's budget request.

-- Amendment SA 1086 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Strange.

-- Amendment SA 1086 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1087 (Sen. Bennet): To recognize the National Museum of World War II Aviation.

-- Amendment SA 1087 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Bennet.

-- Amendment SA 1087 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1088 (Sen. Wyden): To authorize an additional $10,000,000 for the National Guard for training on wildfire response, and to provide an offset .

-- Amendment SA 1088 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Wyden.

-- Amendment SA 1088 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1089 (Sen. Kaine): To establish opportunities for scholarships related to cybersecurity, and for other purposes.

-- Amendment SA 1089 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Kaine.

-- Amendment SA 1089 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1094 (Sen. Cortez Masto): To express the sense of Senate on increasing enrollment in Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs at minority-serving institutions.

-- Amendment SA 1094 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Cortez Masto.

-- Amendment SA 1094 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1096 (Sen. Graham): To prohibit multichannel video programming distributors from being required to carry certain video content that is owned or controlled by the Government of the Russian Federation .

-- Amendment SA 1096 proposed by Senator McCain for Senator Graham.

-- Amendment SA 1096 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1100 (Sen. Durbin): To modify the basis on which an extension of the period for enlistment in the Armed Forces may be made under the Delayed Entry Program.

-- Amendment SA 1100 proposed by Senator Reed for Senator Durbin.

-- Amendment SA 1100 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S. 188 (Sen. Cassidy): To prohibit the use of Federal funds for the costs of painting portraits of officers and employees of the Federal Government .

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 260 (Sen. Fischer): A resolution designating September 2017 as "School Bus Safety Month".

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

S.Res. 261 (Sen. Murkowski): A resolution recognizing the month of September 2017 as "Alaska Wild Salmon Month".

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

S.Res. 262 (Sen. Boozman): A resolution commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Air Force as an independent military service and celebrating the Air Force for 70 years of serving and defending the United States.

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

Executive Business (Monday, September 18)

PN725: William J. Emanuel, of California, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2021

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

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

Adjournment

Under the authority of the order of today, at 10:39 p.m, the Presiding Officer (Mr. Perdue in the chair) declared the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 10 a.m. tomorrow .