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Congressional Record
Proceedings, Debates of the U.S. Congress
November 29, 2016
114th Congress, 2nd Session
Issue: Vol. 162, No. 170 — Daily Edition
Entire Issue (PDF)
Sections in This Issue:
Daily Digest
Daily Digest Section (PDF)
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Daily Digest
Senate
Chamber Action
Measures Introduced:
Two bills and five resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3483–3484, S. Res. 620–623, and S. Con. Res. 56.
Page S6550
Measures Passed:
Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes Act:
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of S. 2873, to require studies and reports examining the use of, and opportunities to use, technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models to improve programs of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the bill was then passed by a unanimous vote of 97 yeas (Vote No. 154), after taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S6525–26
Adopted:
Daines (for Alexander) Amendment No. 5110, in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S6525–26Public Safety Officers' Benefits Improvement Act:
Senate passed S. 2944, to require adequate reporting on the Public Safety Officers' Benefits program, after withdrawing the committee amendments, and agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S6571–73
McConnell (for Grassley) Amendment No. 5113, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S6573
McConnell (for Grassley) Amendment No. 5114, to amend the title.
Page S6573Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act:
Senate passed S. 461, to provide for alternative financing arrangements for the provision of certain services and the construction and maintenance of infrastructure at land border ports of entry, after withdrawing the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S6573–75
McConnell (for Cornyn) Amendment No. 5115, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S6575District of Columbia Judicial Financial Transparency Act:
Senate passed H.R. 4419, to update the financial disclosure requirements for judges of the District of Columbia courts and to make other improvements to the District of Columbia courts.
Page S6575Air Traffic Controllers Annuity Supplement:
Senate passed H.R. 5785, to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for an annuity supplement for certain air traffic controllers.
Page S6575National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency 20th Anniversary:
Committee on Armed Services was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 607, recognizing the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency on its 20th anniversary, and the resolution was then agreed to.
Pages S6575–7640 Years of Women Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy Day:
Committee on Armed Services was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 611, supporting the designation of October 8, 2016, as ``40 Years of Women Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy Day'', and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S6576National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month:
Senate agreed to S. Res. 622, expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children awaiting families, 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.
Page S6576Civil Air Patrol:
Senate agreed to S. Res. 623, recognizing the vital role the Civil Air Patrol has played, and continues to play, in supporting the homeland security and national defense of the United States.
Page S6576Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Project in Reno, Nevada:
Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 3438, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a major medical facility project in Reno, Nevada, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Page S6576
McConnell (for Heller) Amendment No. 5116, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S6576
Iran Sanctions Extension Act--Agreement:
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at a time to be determined between the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Democratic Leader, Senate begin consideration of H.R. 6297, to reauthorize the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996; and that Senate vote on passage of the bill, with no intervening action or debate.
Page S6521
Protect Patrimony Resolution--Agreement:
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Secretary of the Senate be authorized to request the return of the papers with respect to H. Con. Res. 122, supporting efforts to stop the theft, illegal possession or sale, transfer, and export of tribal cultural items of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians in the United States and internationally, so that the Enrolling Clerk may make a technical correction.
Page S6571
Message from the President:
Senate received the following message from the President of the United States:
Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to an alternative plan for pay increases for civilian Federal employees covered by the General Schedule and certain other pay systems in January 2017; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (PM–57)
Page S6546
Nominations Received:
Senate received the following nominations:
Joseph Bruce Hamilton, of Texas, to be a Member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board for a term expiring October 18, 2021.
Seth Harris, of New York, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years.
Jeffrey R. Moreland, of Texas, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years.
Rachel A. Meidl, of Wisconsin, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board for a term of five years.
Michael P. Leary, of Pennsylvania, to be Inspector General, Social Security Administration.
Richard Stengel, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2017.
Richard Stengel, of the District of Columbia, to be Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
Patrick K. Nakamura, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission for a term of six years expiring August 30, 2022.
Robert P. Storch, of the District of Columbia, to be Inspector General of the National Security Agency.
1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral.
Routine lists in the Army, Foreign Service, and Marine Corps.
Pages S6577–78
Measures Placed on the Calendar:
Page S6521
Executive Communications:
Pages S6546–50
Petitions and Memorials:
Page S6550
Additional Cosponsors:
Page S6551
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S6552–56
Additional Statements:
Pages S6543–46
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S6556–60
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S6560
Record Votes:
One record vote was taken today. (Total--154)
Page S6526
Adjournment:
Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:44 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S6576–77.)
Committee Meetings
VOLUNTARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine Department of Defense actions concerning voluntary education programs, after receiving testimony from Peter Levine, Acting Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, Stephanie Barna, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, and Dawn Bilodeau, Chief, Voluntary Education Programs, all of the Department of Defense.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence:
Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community.
Committee recessed subject to the call.
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced:
9 public bills, H.R. 6394–6402; and 3 resolutions, H. Res. 932, 935–936 were introduced.
Page H6365
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H6365–66
Reports Filed:
Reports were filed today as follows:
H.R. 1219, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land and appurtenances of the Arbuckle Project, Oklahoma, to the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 114–834);
H.R. 5790, to provide adequate protections for whistleblowers at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (H. Rept. 114–835);
H.R. 5920, to enhance whistleblower protection for contractor and grantee employees (H. Rept. 114–836, Part 1);
H.R. 6302, to provide an increase in premium pay for United States Secret Service agents performing protective services during 2016, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 114–837);
H. Res. 933, providing amounts for further expenses of the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress (H. Rept. 114–838); and
H. Res. 934, providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 34) to authorize and strengthen the tsunami detection, forecast, warning, research, and mitigation program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6392) to amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to specify when bank holding companies may be subject to certain enhanced supervision, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 114–839).
Pages H6364–65
Speaker:
Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H6315
Recess:
The House recessed at 12:02 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m.
Page H6315
Recess:
The House recessed at 2:08 p.m and reconvened at 3:01 p.m.
Page H6316
Suspensions:
The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:
Veterans TRICARE Choice Act:
H.R. 5458, amended, to provide for coordination between the TRICARE program and eligibility for making contributions to a health savings account;
Pages H6317–19Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation Act of 2016:
S. 546, amended, to establish the Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Subcommittee under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Advisory Council to provide recommendations on emergency responder training and resources relating to hazardous materials incidents involving railroads;
Pages H6319–21Designating the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 719 Church Street in Nashville, Tennessee, as the ``Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and United States Courthouse'':
H.R. 6135, to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 719 Church Street in Nashville, Tennessee, as the ``Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and United States Courthouse'';
Pages H6321–22Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016:
S. 2577, amended, to protect crime victims' rights, to eliminate the substantial backlog of DNA and other forensic evidence samples to improve and expand the forensic science testing capacity of Federal, State, and local crime laboratories, to increase research and development of new testing technologies, to develop new training programs regarding the collection and use of forensic evidence, to provide post-conviction testing of DNA evidence to exonerate the innocent, to support accreditation efforts of forensic science laboratories and medical examiner offices, to address training and equipment needs, and to improve the performance of counsel in State capital cases;
Pages H6322–29Ensuring funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline:
H.R. 5422, to ensure funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 399 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 588;
Pages H6329–32, H6351–52United States-Israel Advanced Research Partnership Act of 2016:
H.R. 5877, amended, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 to promote cooperative homeland security research and antiterrorism programs relating to cybersecurity;
Pages H6332–34United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2016:
H.R. 5843, amended, to establish a grant program at the Department of Homeland Security to promote cooperative research and development between the United States and Israel on cybersecurity;
Pages H6335–36, H6353Amending title 38, United States Code, to expand the eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for deceased individuals who were awarded the Medal of Honor and are buried in private cemeteries:
H.R. 4757, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for deceased individuals who were awarded the Medal of Honor and are buried in private cemeteries, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 401 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 589;
Pages H6336–37, H6352–53[Page:D1070]
Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To expand the eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for deceased individuals who were awarded the Medal of Honor and are buried in private cemeteries, and for other purposes.''.
Page H6336Working to Integrate Networks Guaranteeing Member Access Now Act:
H.R. 5166, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide certain employees of Members of Congress and certain employees of State or local governmental agencies with access to case-tracking information of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
Pages H6338–40
Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Amend title 38, United States Code, to permit veterans to grant access to their records in the databases of the Veterans Benefits Administration to certain designated congressional employees, and for other purposes.''.
Page H6340Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2016:
H.R. 3286, amended, to encourage effective, voluntary private sector investments to recruit, employ, and retain men and women who have served in the United States military with annual presidential awards to private sector employers recognizing such efforts;
Pages H6340–43No Hero Left Untreated Act:
H.R. 5600, amended, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide access to magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy technology to veterans;
Pages H6343–44Naming the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system in Long Beach, California the ``Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center'':
H.R. 6323, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system in Long Beach, California the ``Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center'';
Pages H6344–45Expressing the sense of Congress and reaffirming longstanding United States policy in support of a direct bilaterally negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and opposition to United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing a solution to the conflict:
H. Con. Res. 165, expressing the sense of Congress and reaffirming longstanding United States policy in support of a direct bilaterally negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and opposition to United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing a solution to the conflict; and
Pages H6345–49Encouraging reunions of divided Korean American families:
H. Con. Res. 40, encouraging reunions of divided Korean American families.
Pages H6349–51
Recess:
The House recessed at 6:27 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m.
Page H6351
Amending title 40, United States Code, to include as part of the buildings and grounds of the National Gallery of Art any buildings and other areas within the boundaries of any real estate or other property interests acquired by the National Gallery of Art:
The House agreed to take from the Speaker's table and pass H.R. 5160, to amend title 40, United States Code, to include as part of the buildings and grounds of the National Gallery of Art any buildings and other areas within the boundaries of any real estate or other property interests acquired by the National Gallery of Art.
Page H6353
Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2016:
The House agreed to take from the Speaker's table and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 3471, to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the provision of automobiles and adaptive equipment by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Pages H6353–55
First Responder Anthrax Preparedness Act:
The House agreed to take from the Speaker's table and pass S. 1915, to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to make anthrax vaccines and antimicrobials available to emergency response providers.
Page H6355
Northern Border Security Review Act:
The House agreed to take from the Speaker's table and pass S. 1808, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a Northern Border threat analysis.
Pages H6355–56
Suspension--Proceedings Postponed:
The House debated the following measure under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed.
Protecting Veterans' Educational Choice Act of 2016:
H.R. 5047, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor to provide information to veterans and members of the Armed Forces about articulation agreements between institutions of higher learning.
Pages H6337–38
Presidential Message:
Read a message from the President wherein he transmitted an alternative plan for pay increases for civilian Federal employees covered by the General Schedule in January 2017--referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 114–185).
Page H6351
Senate Messages:
Messages received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appear on page H6316.
Senate Referrals:
S. 2974 was held at the desk. S. 2325 was held at the desk. S. 2873 was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Pages H6316, H6322, H6361
Quorum Calls--Votes:
Two yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H6352 and H6352–53. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment:
The House met at 12 noon and adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Committee Meetings
SYSTEMIC RISK DESIGNATION IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2016; SENATE AMENDMENT TO THE TSUNAMI WARNING, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2015
Committee on Rules:
Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 6392, the ``Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2016''; and Senate amendment to H.R. 34, the ``Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2015''. The committee granted, by record vote of 7–3, a rule that provides for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 34. The rule makes in order a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or his designee that the House concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 34 with an amendment consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 114–67 modified by the amendment printed in part A of the Rules Committee report. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the motion. The rule provides that the Senate amendment and motion shall be considered as read. The rule provides one hour of debate on the motion with 60 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. Additionally, the rule grants a structured rule for H.R. 6392. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the bill shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill. The rule makes in order only the amendment printed in part B of the Rules Committee report, if offered by the Member designated in the report, which shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment printed in part B of the report. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Upton, and Representatives Pallone, Murphy of Pennsylvania, DeGette, Tiberi, Hanabusa, Luetkemeyer, and Maxine Waters of California.
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:
Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness, to hold hearings to examine the dawn of artificial intelligence, 2:30 p.m., SR–253.
Committee on Finance:
business meeting to consider the nominations of Charles P. Blahous, III, of Maryland, and Robert D. Reischauer, of Maryland, both to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, 10 a.m., SD–215.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
to hold hearings to examine initial observations of the new leadership at the Border Patrol, 10 a.m., SD–342.
Select Committee on Intelligence:
to receive a closed briefing on certain intelligence matters, 3 p.m., SH–219.
Special Committee on Aging:
to hold hearings to examine financial abuse of older Americans by guardians and others in power, 2:30 p.m., SD–562.
Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``Examining the United States Preventive Services Task Force'', 10:30 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa; and Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, joint hearing entitled ``Libya Five Years After Ghadafi'', 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Committee on the Judiciary,
Full Committee, markup on H.R. 4919, the ``Kevin and Avonte's Law of 2016'', 10 a.m., 2237 Rayburn.
Committee on Natural Resources
, Subcommittee on Federal Lands, hearing on H.R. 5129, the ``GO Act''; H.R. 799, the ``North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act''; and H.R. 3683, the ``African American Civil Rights Network Act of 2015'', 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Oversight of DEA's Confidential Source Program'', 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Government Operations, hearing entitled ``Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program: Examining Premium Increases'', 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Program for Wednesday:
Senate will be in a period of morning business.
Program for Wednesday:
To be announced.
HOUSE
Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E1537
Carter, John R., Tex., E1531
Cook, Paul, Calif., E1535
Davis, Susan A., Calif., E1540
DeSaulnier, Mark, Calif., E1540
Deutch, Theodore E., Fla., E1540
Donovan, Daniel M., Jr, N.Y., E1534
Farenthold, Blake, Tex., E1531
Farr, Sam, Calif., E1531, E1532
Garamendi, John, Calif., E1533
Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E1538
Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1533, E1536
Israel, Steve, N.Y., E1539
Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E1540
Kaptur, Marcy, Ohio, E1534
Lee, Barbara, Calif., E1536
Lieu, Ted, Calif., E1533
Lujan Grisham, Michelle, N.M., E1531
Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E1536, E1537, E1537, E1538
McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1537, E1538
Messer, Luke, Ind., E1536
Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1532
Payne, Donald M., Jr., N.J., E1533, E1534
Perry, Scott, Pa., E1532
Poe, Ted, Tex., E1539
Roskam, Peter J., Ill., E1535
Sanford, Mark, S.C., E1539
Scott, Austin, Ga., E1535
Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E1532
Westerman, Bruce, Ark., E1535