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Senate Floor Activity - Thursday, September 28, 2017


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, September 28)

H.R. 2519 (Rep. Walz): To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint commemorative coins in recognition of the 100th anniversary of The American Legion.
-- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

H.R. 3823 (Rep. Brady): To amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to provide disaster tax relief, and for other purposes.
-- Received in the Senate, read twice.
-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
-- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
S.Amdt. 1108 (Sen. Cassidy): To strike the provisions relating to development of a private flood insurance market.
-- Amendment SA 1108 proposed by Senator McConnell for Senator Cassidy.
-- Amendment SA 1108 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.


S. 770 (Sen. Schatz): To require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to disseminate resources to help reduce small business cybersecurity risks, and for other purposes.
-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
-- The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
S.Amdt. 977 (Sen. Schatz): To improve the bill.
-- Amendment SA 977 proposed by Senator McConnell for Senator Schatz.
-- Amendment SA 977 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.


S.Res. 267 (Sen. Feinstein): A resolution designating September 2017 as "National Workforce Development Month".
-- Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
-- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 272 (Sen. Cruz): A resolution commemorating the 230th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States.
-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 273 (Sen. Scott): A resolution expressing support for the designation of September 2017 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month" in order to educate communities across the United States about sickle cell disease and the need for research, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs with respect to sickle cell disease, complications from sickle cell disease, and conditions related to sickle cell disease.
-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 274 (Sen. Enzi): A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Retirement Security Week, including raising public awareness of the various tax-preferred retirement vehicles, increasing personal financial literacy, and engaging the people of the United States on the keys to success in achieving and maintaining retirement security throughout their lifetimes.
-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 275 (Sen. Duckworth): A resolution congratulating Northeastern Illinois University on the sesquicentennial of the University.
-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 276 (Sen. Coons): A resolution designating September 2017 as "Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month".
-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 277 (Sen. Murray): A resolution designating the week of September 25 through 29, 2017, as "National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week" .
-- Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Executive Business (Thursday, September 28)

PN89: Ajit Varadaraj Pai, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of five years from July 1, 2016
-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 9/28/2017.
-- Considered by Senate.
-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 55 - 41. Record Vote Number: 208

PN482: Col. Michael R. Fenzel, in the Army, to be Brigadier General
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN586: Ralph R. Erickson, of North Dakota, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit
-- Considered by Senate.
-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 1. Record Vote Number: 206
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 1. Record Vote Number: 207

PN794: J. Cody Hiland, of Arkansas, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas for the term of four years
-- Considered by Senate.
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN798: Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., of Utah, to be Ambassador to the Russian Federation
-- Considered by Senate.
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN800: Joshua J. Minkler, of Indiana, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana for the term of four years
-- Considered by Senate.
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN816: A. Wess Mitchell, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (European and Eurasian Affairs)
-- Considered by Senate.
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN827: John R. Bass, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
-- Considered by Senate.
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN833: Justin Hicks Siberell, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain
-- Considered by Senate.
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN838: Byung J. Pak, of Georgia, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia for the term of four years
-- Considered by Senate.
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN861: Robert J. Higdon, Jr., of North Carolina, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina for the term of four years
-- Considered by Senate.
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN934: Maj. Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, in the Air Force , to be Lieutenant General
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN935: 58 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Col. Jeffery D. Aebischer and ending with Col. Daniel S. Yenchesky
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN936: Brig. Gen. John E. Cardwell, in the Army, to be Major General
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN937: Col. Joseph D'Costa, in the Army, to be Brigadier General
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN938: Maj. Gen. Michael A. Bills, in the Army, to be Lieutenant General
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN939: Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Christian, in the Army, to be Major General
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN940: Brig. Gen. Kenneth H. Moore, in the Army, to be Major General
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN941: Col. Matthew P. Easley, in the Army, to be Brigadier General
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN942: Col. Johnny R. Bass, in the Army, to be Brigadier General
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN943: Col. Tony L. Wright, in the Army, to be Brigadier General
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN944: Stephen J. Augustine, in the Air Force, to be Major
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN945: William J. Vit, Jr., in the Air Force, to be Major
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN946: Theresa A. Jones, in the Air Force, to be Major
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN947: 2 nominations in the Air Force beginning with James S. Shigekane and ending with Andrew H. Stephan
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN948: 2095 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Marc Aalderink and ending with Joseph R. Zito
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN949: 149 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Ian S. Anderson and ending with Joan Diaz Zuniga
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN950: 53 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Jennifer L. Baker and ending with Dorian R. Williams
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN952: Derrick C. Long, in the Army, to be Colonel
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN953: Natalie E. Vanatta, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN954: John F. Lopes, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN955: Terrance R. Latson, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN959: Robert P. L. Bailey, in the Army, to be Major
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN960: Mariah C. Smith, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN961: Mark W. Canary, in the Army, to be Major
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN962: David E. Meacher, in the Army, to be Colonel
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN963: Christopher D. McDevitt, in the Army, to be Colonel
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN964: 8 nominations in the Army beginning with Bruce M. Coccoli and ending with Scott J. Sheridan
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN965: 35 nominations in the Army beginning with Thomas A. Brooks and ending with D012739
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN966: 2 nominations in the Army beginning with Edward A. Jarrett and ending with Casey T. Schober
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN967: 19 nominations in the Army beginning with Curtis J. Allen and ending with Bradley A. Wright
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN968: Jason A. Tews, in the Navy, to be Lieutenant Commander
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN969: Christopher P. Carroll, in the Navy, to be Lieutenant Commander
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN970: 2 nominations in the Navy beginning with Gabriel Perez and ending with Eric R. Truemper
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN971: 91 nominations in the Navy beginning with Anton A. Adam and ending with Ying P. Zhong
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN972: 33 nominations in the Navy beginning with Adrienne T. Benton and ending with Aaron R. Wesson
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN973: 55 nominations in the Navy beginning with Salahhudin A. Adenkhalif and ending with Victor T. F. Wong
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN974: 107 nominations in the Navy beginning with Santiago A. Abadam II and ending with Jaime M. York
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN975: 49 nominations in the Navy beginning with Sarah A. Aguero and ending with Dennis E. Westman
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN976: 123 nominations in the Navy beginning with Joko A. Abubakar and ending with Yui Y. Wong
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN977: 77 nominations in the Navy beginning with Brooke T. Ahlstrom and ending with Mark C. Warner
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN978: 212 nominations in the Navy beginning with Miguel M . Alampay and ending with Zachary A. Zanfes
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN979: Megan L. Bustin, in the Marine Corps, to be Major
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN980: Robert M. Barclay, in the Marine Corps, to be Major
-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. McConnell, at 5:17 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 3 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 2017.