Senate Floor Activity - Wednesday, December 20, 2017

The President pro tempore called the Senate to order at 11 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, December 20)

S. 117 (Sen. Daines): To designate a mountain peak in the State of Montana as "Alex Diekmann Peak".

-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S. 501 (Sen. Tester): To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of East Rosebud Creek in Carbon County, Montana, as components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 150 (Sen. Casey): A resolution recognizing threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in efforts of the United States Government to promote democracy and good governance.

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

S.Res. 326 (Sen. Blumenthal): A resolution recognizing the crew of the San Antonio Rose, B-17F, who sacrificed their lives during World War II, and honoring their memory during the week of the 75th anniversary of that tragic event.

-- Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.

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

S.Res. 345 (Sen. Young): A resolution designating August 3, 2018, as "National Ernie Pyle Day".

-- 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. 362 (Sen. Rubio): A resolution recognizing the service of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine the USS Jacksonville and the crew of the USS Jacksonville, who served the United States with valor and bravery .

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

Executive Business (Wednesday, December 20)

PN1006: Stephen R. McAllister, of Kansas, to be United States Attorney for the District of Kansas for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1007: Ronald A. Parsons, Jr., of South Dakota, to be United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1023: Michael B. Stuart, of West Virginia, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1028: Thomas Harker, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1030: John P. Roth, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1051: Duane A. Kees, of Arkansas, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1080: Bruce D. Jette, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1097: James E. McPherson, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of the Army

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1113: Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, in the Air Force, to be Lieutenant General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1142: Jennifer A. Mahoney, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1143: 2 nominations in the Army beginning with Yon T. Chung and ending with Michael B. Payne

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1194: Randall G. Schriver, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1210: Ryan K. Patrick, of Texas, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1220: Col. Sharon A. Shaffer, in the Air Force, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1224: Col. Robert J. Marks, in the Air Force, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1228-1: 35 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Col. Ronald G. Allen, Jr. and ending with Col. Alice W. Trevino

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1245: 50 nominations in the Navy beginning with William L . Arnest and ending with Karen J. Wood

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1263: Maj. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, in the Army, to be Lieutenant General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1264: Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, in the Army, to be General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1265: 2 nominations in the Army beginning with Nathele J. Anderson and ending with Brian R. Horton

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1266: 2 nominations in the Army beginning with Thomas W. Green and ending with Kenneth M. Koop

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1267: Adam R. Liberman, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1268: Michael E. Steelman, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1269: Gerald D. Gangaram, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1270: Brian R. Johnson, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1271-1: 18 nominations in the Army beginning with Scott T. Ayers and ending with Tyesha L. Smith

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1272: Peter J. Armstrong, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1273: Ali S. Zaza, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1274: Phillip T. Buckler, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1275: Vernice K. Favor-Williams, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1281: Rear Adm. Nancy A. Norton, in the Navy, to be Vice Admiral

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1282: Rear Adm. Richard A. Brown, in the Navy, to be Vice Admiral

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1296: Arianne R. Morrison, in the Air Force, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1297: Richard A. Hanrahan, in the Air Force, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1298: 2 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Aleck A. Brown and ending with John D. Ritter

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1300: Heather M. Lee, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1301: Sharif H. Calfee, in the Navy, to be Captain

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1314: Col. Mitchel Neurock, in the Air Force, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1315: 5 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Brig. Gen. Hubert C. Hegtvedt and ending with Brig. Gen. John B. Williams

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. McConnell, at 6:04 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 10 a.m. tomorrow.