Senate Floor Activity - Thursday, November 21, 2019

The President pro tempore called the Senate to order at 10 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, November 21)

H.R. 887 (Rep. Curtis): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 877 East 1200 South in Orem, Utah, as the "Jerry C. Washburn Post Office Building".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 1252 (Rep. Cardenas): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6531 Van Nuys Boulevard in Van Nuys, California, as the "Marilyn Monroe Post Office".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 1253 (Rep. Cardenas): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13507 Van Nuys Boulevard in Pacoima, California, as the "Ritchie Valens Post Office Building" .

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 1526 (Rep. Heck): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Israel Road Southeast in Tumwater, Washington, as the "Eva G. Hewitt Post Office".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 1844 (Rep. Krishnamoorthi): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 66 Grove Court in Elgin, Illinois, as the "Corporal Alex Martinez Memorial Post Office Building".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 1972 (Rep. Gianforte): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 West Kent Avenue in Missoula, Montana , as the "Jeannette Rankin Post Office Building".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 2151 (Rep. Delgado): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7722 South Main Street in Pine Plains, New York, as the "Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon M. Kent Post Office" .

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 2325 (Rep. Gonzalez-Colon): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Calle Alondra in San Juan, Puerto Rico , as the "65th Infantry Regiment Post Office Building".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 2334 (Rep. Conaway): A bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Odessa, Texas, as the "Wilson and Young Medal of Honor VA Clinic".

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

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 2451 (Rep. Cicilline): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 575 Dexter Street in Central Falls, Rhode Island, as the "Elizabeth Buffum Chace Post Office".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 3055 (Rep. Serrano): A bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Motion by Senator Paul to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3055 with an amendment (SA 1250) made in Senate.

-- Motion by Senator McConnell to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3055 made in Senate.

-- Cloture motion on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3055 presented in Senate.

-- Cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3055 invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 75 - 19. Record Vote Number: 364

-- Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3055 by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 20. Record Vote Number: 365

-- Message on Senate action sent to the House.

S.Amdt. 1250 (Sen. Paul): To reduce the amount appropriated by 1 percent and put the savings towards the Highway Trust Fund and certain Environmental Protection Agency Infrastructure Assistance.

-- Amendment SA 1250 proposed by Senator Paul.

-- Motion to table the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3055 with an amendment (SA 1250) agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 73 - 20. Record Vote Number: 363

H.R. 3144 (Rep. Sanchez): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8520 Michigan Avenue in Whittier, California, as the "Jose Ramos Post Office Building".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 3314 (Rep. Gosar): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1750 McCulloch Boulevard North in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, as the "Lake Havasu City Combat Veterans Memorial Post Office Building".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

H.Con.Res. 75: A concurrent resolution directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 3055.

-- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

-- Message on Senate action sent to the House.

S. 333 (Sen. Cornyn): A bill to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with cybersecurity consortia for training, and for other purposes.

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S. 900 (Sen. Daines): A bill to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Bozeman, Montana, as the "Travis W. Atkins Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic" .

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

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S. 1430 (Sen. Lankford): A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to prevent fraud by representative payees.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1251 (Sen. Lankford): To make certain corrections.

-- Amendment SA 1251 proposed by Senator Fischer for Senator Lankford.

-- Amendment SA 1251 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S. 1846 (Sen. Peters): A bill to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for engagements with State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, and for other purposes.

-- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

-- The committee amendment withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.

-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Amdt. 1252 (Sen. Peters): In the nature of a substitute.

-- Amendment SA 1252 proposed by Senator Fischer for Senator Peters.

-- Amendment SA 1252 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S. 2193 (Sen. Peters): A bill to require the Administrator of General Services to issue guidance to clarify that Federal agencies may pay by charge card for the charging of Federal electric motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

-- Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.

S. 2712 (Sen. Baldwin): A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 430 South Knowles Avenue in New Richmond, Wisconsin, as the "Captain Robert C. Harmon and Private John R. Peirson Post Office Building".

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 435 (Sen. Risch): A resolution reaffirming the importance of the General Security of Military Information Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Japan, and for other purposes.

-- Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.

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

S.Res. 437 (Sen. Young): A resolution expressing support for the goals of Stomach Cancer Awareness Month.

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

S.Res. 438 (Sen. Blunt): A resolution expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Month and National Adoption Day by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children waiting for adoption, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, and encouraging the people of the United States to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.

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

S.Res. 439 (Sen. Isakson): A resolution designating December 1, 2019, as "Drive Safer Sunday".

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

S.Res. 440 (Sen. Collins): A resolution designating December 14, 2019, as "Wreaths Across America Day".

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

S.Res. 441 (Sen. Cornyn): A resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 12 Moon landing.

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

Executive Business (Thursday, November 21)

PN175: John Lowry III, of Illinois, to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN185: Robert M. Duncan, of Kentucky, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2025

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

-- Cloture motion presented in Senate.

PN389: Ian Paul Steff, of Indiana, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN606-1: 15 nominations in the Foreign Service beginning with Derrick Scott Brown and ending with V. Kate Somvongsiri

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN702: John E. Kramer, of Florida, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Transportation

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN704: Joshua A. Deahl, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN705: Deborah J. Israel, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN717: Andrea L. Hertzfeld, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN720: Douglas Russell Cole, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio

-- 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.

PN776: Eric Ross Komitee, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York

-- 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.

PN783: John L. Sinatra, Jr., of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of New York

-- 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.

PN788-2: Jay P. Williams, in the Foreign Service

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN839-4: Col. Patrick R. Michaelis, in the Army, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN851: Carl Whitney Bentzel, of Maryland, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for the term expiring June 30, 2024

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN853: David B. Barlow, of Utah, to be United States District Judge for the District of Utah

-- 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.

PN901: E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, of Maryland, to be Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission for the term of three years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN903: R. Austin Huffaker, Jr., of Alabama, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama

-- 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.

PN1006: Maj. Gen. Daniel L. Karbler, in the Army, to be Lieutenant General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1055: Richard Ernest Myers II, of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina

-- 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.

PN1056: Sarah E. Pitlyk, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri

-- 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.

PN1058: Ralph Ignatius Sozio, of New York, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York for the term of four years

-- Reported by Senator Graham, Committee on the Judiciary, without printed report.

-- Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar No. 539.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1062: Col. Stephanie A. Purgerson, in the Army, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1105: Robert Anthony Dixon, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Marshal for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of four years

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1115: 10 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Jeffrey J. Autrey and ending with Jennifer T. Vecchione

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1173: Sherri A. Lydon, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina

-- 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.

PN1205: Michael W. Torre, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1206: Austin C. Vann, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1226: 5 nominations in the Coast Guard beginning with Joseph D. Brown and ending with Mariett C. Ogg

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1241: Thomas Michael O'Connor, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years

-- Reported by Senator Graham, Committee on the Judiciary, without printed report.

-- Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar No. 537.

-- Considered by Senate.

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1252: 18 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Col . Leslie A. Beavers and ending with Col. Adrian K. White

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1253: 6 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Brig . Gen. Lee Ann T. Bennett and ending with Brig. Gen. Scott A. Sauter

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1254: Col. Darrin D. Lambrigger, in the Air Force, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1255: Brig. Gen. John C. Boyd, in the Army, to be Major General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1256: Col. Damon N. Cluck, in the Army, to be Brigadier General

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1257: Michael J. Blanton, in the Army, to be Lieutenant Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1258: Laina G. Cafego, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1259: Lyle E. Bushong, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1261: Garth E. Coke, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1264: Brent R. Robertson, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1265: John N. Amiral, in the Navy, to be Commander

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1268: Dan R. Brouillette, of Texas, to be Secretary of Energy

-- Considered by Senate.

-- By unanimous consent agreement, vote 11/21/2019.

-- Cloture invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 18. Record Vote Number: 366

-- By unanimous consent agreement, debate 12/2/2019.

PN1269: 127 nominations in the Air Force beginning with Thomas Jason Abell and ending with Lawrence Nahno Yazzie

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1270: Joshua B. Stierwalt, in the Air Force, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1271: Gerald J. Hall, in the Army, to be Colonel

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1272: Nicole L. Kruse, in the Army, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1273: Thomas Q. Gallagher, in the Navy, to be Captain

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1274: Emma R. Shinn, in the Marine Corps, to be Captain

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

PN1275: Ryan J. Nowlin, in the Marine Corps, to be Major

-- Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

Adjournment

By unanimous consent, on the request of Mrs. Fischer, at 5:07 p.m., the Senate adjourned, under its order of today, until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.