Senate Floor Activity - Thursday, February 15, 2018

Mr. Roy Blunt, from the State of Missouri, called the Senate to order at 10 a.m., the Chaplain offered a prayer, and Mr. Blunt 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, February 15)

H.R. 1725 (Rep. Walz): To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit certain reports relating to medical evidence submitted in support of claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary .

-- Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 2579 (Rep. Tiberi): A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the premium tax credit with respect to unsubsidized COBRA continuation coverage.

-- Considered by Senate.

S.Amdt. 1948 (Sen. Toomey): To ensure that State and local law enforcement may cooperate with Federal officials to protect our communities from violent criminals and suspected terrorists who are illegally present in the United States.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Cloture on amendment SA 1948 not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 45. Record Vote Number: 34

S.Amdt. 1955 (Sen. Coons): To provide relief from removal and adjustment of status of certain individuals who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States before reaching the age of 18, improve border security, foster United States engagement in Central America, and for other purposes.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Cloture on amendment SA 1955 not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 47. Record Vote Number: 33

S.Amdt. 1958 (Sen. Schumer): Of a perfecting nature.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Cloture on amendment SA 1958 as modified not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 45. Record Vote Number: 35

S.Amdt. 1959 (Sen. Grassley): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment pending in Senate.

-- Cloture on amendment SA 1959 not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 39 - 60. Record Vote Number: 36

H.R. 3122 (Rep. Cartwright): To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include on the internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a warning regarding dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices targeting individuals who are eligible for increased pension on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance, and for other purposes .

-- Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 4533 (Rep. Barr): A bill to designate the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lexington, Kentucky, as the "Lexington VA Health Care System" and to make certain other designations .

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S. 946 (Sen. Flake): A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire additional Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists to provide treatment court services to justice-involved veterans, and for other purposes.

-- Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 2042 (Sen. Flake): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment SA 2042 proposed by Senator Alexander for Senator Flake.

-- Amendment SA 2042 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 413 (Sen. Booker): A resolution celebrating Black History Month .

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

Executive Business (Thursday, February 15)

PN367: Russell Vought, of Virginia, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget

-- 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.

PN755: Tilman Eugene Self III, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia

-- 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.

PN857: John Henderson, of South Dakota, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN860: John Marshall Mitnick, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN876: Terry A. Doughty, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana

-- 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.

PN884: A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr., of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

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

PN926: John C. Demers, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN992: Karen Gren Scholer, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas

-- 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.

PN1044: Norman Euell Arflack, of Kentucky, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Kentucky for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1045: Michael T. Baylous, of West Virginia, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of West Virginia for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1046: David G. Jolley, of Tennessee, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Tennessee for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1047: Daniel R. McKittrick, of Mississippi, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Mississippi for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1052: Matthew D. Krueger, of Wisconsin, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1074: Neil Jacobs, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1090: Thomas M. Griffin, Jr., of South Carolina, to be United States Marshal for the District of South Carolina for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1185: Peter Hendrick Vrooman, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1195: Joel Danies, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1205: John C. Anderson, of New Mexico, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1206: Joseph D. Brown, of Texas, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1207: John H. Durham, of Connecticut, to be United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1208: Brandon J. Fremin, of Louisiana, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1248: Melissa F. Burnison, of Kentucky, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1308: Ted G. Kamatchus, of Iowa, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Iowa for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1309: Joseph P. Kelly, of Nebraska, to be United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1311: Scott W. Murray, of New Hampshire, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1313: David C. Weiss, of Delaware, to be United States Attorney for the District of Delaware for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1316: Michael D. Griffin, of Alabama, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1325: Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, Department of Energy

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1342: Kevin Fahey, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1343: William Roper, of Georgia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1345: Phyllis L. Bayer, of Mississippi, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1404: Elizabeth L. Branch, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit

-- 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.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 2/26/2018.

PN1439: Holly W. Greaves, of the District of Columbia, to be Chief Financial Officer, Environmental Protection Agency

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1441: Thomas E. Ayres, of Pennsylvania, to be General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1515: John H. Gibson II, of Texas, to be Chief Management Officer of the Department of Defense

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. Alexander, at 5:58 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 12 noon tomorrow.