Senate Floor Activity - Thursday, April 26, 2018

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 26)

S.Res. 440 (Sen. Portman): A resolution designating April 2018 as "Second Chance 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. 464 (Sen. Burr): A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day.

-- Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.

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

S.Res. 489 (Sen. Wicker): A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.

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

S.Res. 490 (Sen. Reed): A resolution designating April 2018 as "Financial Literacy Month".

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

S.Res. 491 (Sen. Collins): A resolution recognizing the Independent Transportation Network of America on the occasion of providing 1,000,000 rides to older and visually challenged people of the United States .

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

S.Res. 492 (Sen. Thune): A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month.

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

S.Res. 493 (Sen. Donnelly): A resolution congratulating the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame women's basketball team for winning the 2018 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's basketball championship.

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

S.Res. 494 (Sen. Donnelly): A resolution congratulating the Hoosiers of Indiana University for winning the 2018 Women's National Invitation Tournament .

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

S.Res. 495 (Sen. Heitkamp): A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that, during Public Service Recognition Week, public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the United States .

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

S.Res. 496 (Sen. Menendez): A resolution recognizing April 30, 2018, as "El Dia de los Ninos-Celebrating Young Americans".

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

S.Res. 497 (Sen. Menendez): A resolution recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the Cinco de Mayo holiday.

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

S.Res. 498 (Sen. Risch): A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of April 29 through May 5, 2018, as "National Small Business Week" while commending the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners of the United States, and the impact they have on their communities .

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

S.Res. 499 (Sen. Grassley): A resolution recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month .

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

S.Res. 500 (Sen. McConnell): A resolution to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Peter P. Truman v. Paula Armstrong, et al.

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

Executive Business (Thursday, April 26)

PN872: Thomas J. Hushek, of Wisconsin, to be Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1100: Hannibal Ware, of the Virgin Islands, to be Inspector General, Small Business Administration

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1110: Maj. Gen. Dorothy A. Hogg, in the Air Force, to be Lieutenant General

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1276: Edward M. Crossman, in the Navy, to be Captain

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1326: Andrea L. Thompson, of South Dakota, to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1330: Joel M. Carson III, of New Mexico, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

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

PN1383: Richard Grenell, of California, to be Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 56 - 42. Record Vote Number: 85

PN1385: Yleem D. S. Poblete, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Verification and Compliance)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1405: Michael B. Brennan, of Wisconsin, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

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

PN1411: Kurt D. Engelhardt, of Louisiana, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

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

PN1436-2: Robert F. Grech, in the Foreign Service

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1440: Kenneth Steven Barbic, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1526: John B. Nalbandian, of Kentucky, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

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

PN1529: Joseph L. Falvey, Jr., of Michigan, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for the term of fifteen years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1531: Rohit Chopra, of New York, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the unexpired term of seven years from September 26, 2012

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1532: Noah Joshua Phillips, of Maryland, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 26, 2016

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1533: Joseph Simons, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 26, 2017

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1534: Christine S. Wilson, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the unexpired term of seven years from September 26, 2011

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1535: Christine S. Wilson, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 26, 2018

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1543: Kirsten Dawn Madison, of Florida, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1555: Rear Adm. Richard P. Snyder, in the Navy, to be Vice Admiral

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1590: Douglas R. Burian, in the Marine Corps, to be Major

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1596: Vice Adm. John C. Aquilino, in the Navy, to be Admiral

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1597: 4 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Richard G. Anderson and ending with Joel K. Warren

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1600: 14 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Ronnelle Armstrong and ending with John Marion Von Almen

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1601: 51 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Alison Lee Beach and ending with Cortney Lynn Zuercher

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1634: 2 nominations in the Foreign Service beginning with Karen S. Sliter and ending with Elia P. Vanechanos

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1647: Michael Y. Scudder, of Illinois, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

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

PN1648: Amy J. St. Eve, of Illinois, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

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

PN1655: John Cary Bittick, of Georgia, to be United States Marshal for the Middle District of Georgia for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1657: Timothy A. Garrison, of Missouri, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1658: Steven L. Gladden, of North Carolina, to be United States Marshal for the Middle District of North Carolina for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1659: Nicola T. Hanna, of California, to be United States Attorney for the Central District of California for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1661: David L. Lyons, of Georgia, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Georgia for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1662: Rodney D. Ostermiller, of Montana, to be United States Marshal for the District of Montana for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1663: Kenji M. Price, of Hawaii, to be United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1664: Paul R. Lawrence, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1668: Vice Adm. Charles A. Richard, in the Navy, to be Vice Admiral

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1683: Jon Parrish Peede, of Mississippi, to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities for a term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1712: Brendan O. Heffner, of Illinois, to be United States Marshal for the Central District of Illinois for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1714: Theodor G. Short, of Maine, to be United States Marshal for the District of Maine for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1721: Capt. Gregory N. Todd, in the Navy, to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1723: Capt. John S. Lemmon, in the Navy, to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1725: 2 nominations in the Navy beginning with Rear Adm. (lh) Ronald C. Copley and ending with Rear Adm. (lh) Kathleen M. Creighton

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1726: 3 nominations in the Navy beginning with Rear Adm. (lh) Brian K. Corey and ending with Rear Adm. (lh) Johnny R. Wolfe, Jr .

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1727: Rear Adm. (lh) Darse E. Crandall, in the Navy, to be Rear Admiral

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1729: 2 nominations in the Navy beginning with Capt. Kristen B. Fabry and ending with Capt. Joseph D. Noble, Jr .

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1732: 3 nominations in the Navy beginning with Capt. Heidi K. Berg and ending with Capt. William E. Chase III

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1733: Capt. John J. Adametz, in the Navy, to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1734: Capt. Thomas J. Anderson, in the Navy, to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1735: 19 nominations in the Navy beginning with Capt. James A. Aiken and ending with Capt. George M. Wikoff

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1741: 11 nominations in the Navy beginning with Nana K. Appiawiah and ending with Austin R. Younger

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1742: Tuyvan Nguyen, in the Foreign Service

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1744-1: 106 nominations in the Foreign Service beginning with Benjamin Thomas Ardell and ending with Alexander Zvinakis

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1745: Abigail Marie Nguema, in the Foreign Service

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1753: Tia W. Caphart, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1754: Napoleon A. Campos, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1755: Kevin R. Embry, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1756: Andrew J. Furjanic, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1757: Daniel L. Lee, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1758: John M. Williams, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1761: Mike Pompeo, of Kansas, to be Secretary of State

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 57 - 42. Record Vote Number: 83

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 57 - 42. Record Vote Number: 84

PN1765: Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, of Maryland, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 26, 2015

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1770: Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, in the Air Force, to be General

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1771: Col. Michael T. Gerock, in the Air Force, to be Brigadier General

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1772: Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Fogarty, in the Army, to be Lieutenant General

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1774: Brig. Gen. Raymond S. Dingle, in the Army, to be Major General

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1775: Maj. Gen. Francis M. Beaudette, in the Army, to be Lieutenant General

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1776: 16 nominations in the Army beginning with Brig. Gen . Eugene J. LeBoeuf and ending with Col. Robert E. Suter

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1777: Adm. Philip S. Davidson, in the Navy, to be Admiral

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1778: Rear Adm. David M. Kriete, in the Navy, to be Vice Admiral

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1781: Rear Adm. (lh) Michelle C. Skubic, in the Navy, to be Rear Admiral

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1782: 14 nominations in the Navy beginning with Rear Adm. (lh) Eugene H. Black III and ending with Rear Adm. (lh) Kenneth R. Whitesell

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1783: Rear Adm. (lh) Brent W. Scott, in the Navy, to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1784: Capt. Darin K. Via, in the Navy, to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1785: Lt. Gen. Michael G. Dana, in the Marine Corps, to be Lieutenant General

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1786: Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, in the Marine Corps, to be Lieutenant General

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1787: 8 nominations in the Marine Corps beginning with Col. Stephen E. Liszewski and ending with Col. Calvert L. Worth, Jr .

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1788: 65 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Michael J. Abbott and ending with David Russell Wright

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1789: Roberto Sorianoolivas, in the Army, to be Major

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1790: Jason Palatas, in the Army, to be Major

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1791: 2 nominations in the Army beginning with Jose R. Reveles, Jr. and ending with Kenneth J. Strauss

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1792: D012279, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1793: Russell B. Gilliland, in the Army, to be Major

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1794: Erik M. Bauer, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1795: Lawrence W. Henry, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1796: Kenneth A. Willeford, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1797: D012941, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1798: Roxanne T. Sickles, in the Army, to be Major

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1799: Chad R. Fitzgerald, in the Marine Corps, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1813: Maj. Gen. Charles G. Chiarotti, in the Marine Corps , to be Lieutenant General

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1814: James F. Huggins II, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1817: Denny L. Rozenberg, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mr. McConnell, at 5:38 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 30, 2018.