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Daily Digest
Daily Digest Section (PDF)
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Daily Digest
Senate
Chamber Action
Measures Introduced:
Nine bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1873–1881, S.J. Res. 20, S. Res. 233, and S. Con. Res. 20.
Pages S6073–74
Measures Reported:
S. 1334, to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, to amend the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 to implement the Antigua Convention, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Page S6073
Measures Passed:
Federal Improper Payments Coordination Act:
Senate passed S. 614, to provide access to and use of information by Federal agencies in order to reduce improper payments, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S6084–85
McConnell (for Carper/Johnson) Amendment No. 2541, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S6084Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act:
Senate passed S. 242, to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide leave to any new Federal employee who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30 percent or more for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability.
Page S6085National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act:
Senate passed S. 764, to reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S6085–87Authorizing the Use of Emancipation Hall:
Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 64, authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the Monuments Men.
Page S6087National Association of Women Business Owners 40th Anniversary:
Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 225, honoring the National Association of Women Business Owners on its 40th anniversary, and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S608725th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act:
Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 20, recognizing and honoring the 25th anniversary of the date of enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Page S6087
Measures Considered:
Pages S6046–67
Pending:
McConnell Modified Amendment No. 2266, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S6046
McConnell Amendment No. 2421 (to Amendment No. 2266), of a perfecting nature.
Page S6046
McConnell (for Inhofe) Amendment No. 2533 (to Amendment No. 2421), relating to Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs.
Page S6046
McConnell Amendment No. 2417 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 2266), to change the enactment date.
Page S6046
McConnell Amendment No. 2418 (to Amendment No. 2417), of a perfecting nature.
Page S6046
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding Rule XXII, that at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, all post-cloture time on McConnell Modified Amendment No. 2266 (listed above) be considered expired; and that if cloture is invoked on the bill, then the post-cloture time count as if cloture had been invoked at 6 a.m., on Wednesday, July 29, 2015.
Page S6084
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, with the time until 10 a.m., equally divided in the usual form.
Page S6087
Beck, Prieto, and Ochoa Nominations--Agreement:
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding Rule XXII, following the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 22, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt employees with health coverage under TRICARE or the Veterans Administration from being taken into account for purposes of determining the employers to which the employer mandate applies under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Senate begin consideration of the nominations of Allison Beck, of the District of Columbia, to be Federal Mediation and Conciliation Director, Jeffrey Michael Prieto, of California, to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture, and Carol Fortine Ochoa, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, General Services Administration, that Senate vote, without intervening action or debate, on confirmation of the nominations, and that no further motions be in order to the nominations.
Page S6046
Nomination Confirmed:
Senate confirmed the following nomination:
1 Army nomination in the rank of general.
Page S6087
Messages from the House:
Page S6070
Measures Referred:
Page S6070
Measures Read the First Time:
Pages S6070, S6087
Executive Communications:
Pages S6070–72
Petitions and Memorials:
Pages S6072–73
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S6073
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S6074–77
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S6077–78
Additional Statements:
Pages S6069–70
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S6078–83
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S6083–84
Adjournment:
Senate convened at 11 a.m. and adjourned at 7:04 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2015. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6087.)
Committee Meetings
CRUDE OIL EXPORT BAN
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine lifting the crude oil export ban, after receiving testimony from Senators Murkowski and Hoeven; Richard Muncrief, WPX Energy, Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Michele Flournoy, Center for a New American Secuirty, Benjamin Zycher, American Enterprise Institute, and Leo W. Gerard, United Steelworkers, on behalf of the AFL–CIO, all of Washington, D.C.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:
Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Jonathan Elkind, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (International Affairs).
Committee also began consideration of an original bill to provide for the modernization of the energy policy of the United States, but did not complete action thereon, and will meet again on Wednesday, July 29.
DIPLOMATIC SECURITY TRAINING FACILITY
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the State Department's proposal to construct a new diplomatic security training facility, after receiving testimony from Gregory Starr, Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security; David Mader, Acting Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget; and Connie L. Patrick, Director, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, Department of Homeland Security.
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:
41 public bills, H.R. 3231–3271; 1 private bill, H.R. 3272; and 8 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 65–66; and H. Res. 385–387 and 389–391, were introduced.
Pages H5587–90
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H5591–93
Reports Filed:
A report was filed on July 27, 2015 as follows:
H.R. 1656, to provide for additional resources for the Secret Service, and to improve protections for restricted areas, with an amendment (H. Rept. 114–231).
Reports were filed today as follows:
H.R. 455, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a northern border threat analysis, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 114–232);
H.R. 2786, to require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to submit a report on cross-border rail security, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 114–233); and
H. Res. 388, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1994) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the removal or demotion of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or misconduct, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3236) to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, to provide resource flexibility to the Department of Veterans Affairs for health care services, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 114–234).
Page H5587
Speaker:
Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Valadao to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H5527
Recess:
The House recessed at 10:55 a.m. and reconvened at 12 noon.
Page H5533
Moment of Silence:
The House observed a moment of silence in honor of our brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of our country in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, and all who serve in our armed forces and their families.
Page H5544
Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015:
The House passed H.R. 427, to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law, by a recorded vote of 243 ayes to 165 noes, Roll No. 482.
Pages H5539–72
Rejected the Nolan motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 167 ayes to 241 noes, Roll No. 481.
Pages H5570–71
Pursuant to the Rule, an amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in part A of H. Rept. 114–230, shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule.
Page H5552
Agreed to:
Rodney Davis (IL) amendment (No. 3 printed in part B of H. Rept. 114–230) that requires the agency submitting the report on proposed Federal rule to include an assessment, as part of the cost-benefit analysis submitted to the Comptroller General and each House of Congress, of anticipated jobs gained or lost as a result of implementation, and to specify whether those jobs will come from the public or private sector;
Pages H5557–58
Young (IA) amendment (No. 1 printed in part B of H. Rept. 114–230) that would require agencies to publish in the federal register a list of information on which a rule is based, including data, scientific and economic studies, and cost-benefit analyses, and where the public can access it online (by a recorded vote of 250 ayes to 159 noes, Roll No. 473);
Pages H5555–56, H5564–65
Smith (MO) amendment (No. 2 printed in part B of H. Rept. 114–230) that requires congressional approval for all rules proposed under the authority of the Affordable Care Act (by a recorded vote of 242 ayes to 167 noes, Roll No. 474);
Pages H5556–57, H5565–66
Rejected:
Johnson (GA) amendment (No. 4 printed in part B of H. Rept. 114–230) that sought to add an exception to the bill for rules that the Administrator of the Office of Management and Budget determines would result in net job growth (by a recorded vote of 163 ayes to 246 noes, Roll No. 475);
Pages H5558–59, H5566
Capps amendment (No. 5 printed in part B of H. Rept. 114–230) that sought to ensure that any rule intended to ensure the safety of natural gas or hazardous materials pipelines or prevent, mitigate, or reduce the impact of spills from such pipelines is not considered a ``major rule'' under the bill (by a recorded vote of 166 ayes to 244 noes, Roll No. 476);
Pages H5559–60, H5566–67
Cicilline amendment (No. 6 printed in part B of H. Rept. 114–230) that sought to exempt rules pertaining to the protection of the public health or safety from the requirements of the Act (by a recorded vote of 166 ayes to 242 noes, Roll No. 477);
Pages H5560–61, H5567–68
Cicilline amendment (No. 7 printed in part B of H. Rept. 114–230) that sought to provide a ``special rule'' pertaining to the safety of any products specifically designed to be used or consumed by a child under the age of 2 years (including cribs, car seats, and infant formula) (by a recorded vote of 167 ayes to 243 noes, Roll No. 478);
Pages H5561, H5568[Page:D895]
Nadler amendment (No. 9 printed in part B of H. Rept. 114–230) that sought to exempt from the bill's congressional approval requirement any rule pertaining to nuclear reactor safety standards in order to prevent nuclear meltdowns like the one in Fukushima (by a recorded vote of 167 ayes to 241 noes, Roll No. 479); and
Pages H5561–63, H5568–69
Pocan amendment (No. 10 printed in part B of H. Rept. 114–230) that sought to exempt the Department of Veterans Affairs from the requirements of this legislation, in regards to rulemaking for the availability of affordable medication and effective healthcare management for veterans (by a recorded vote of 167 ayes to 239 noes, Roll No. 480).
Pages H5563–64, H5569–70
H. Res. 380, the rule providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 427) was agreed to by a recorded vote of 240 ayes to 167 noes, Roll No. 471, after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 240 yeas to 167 nays, Roll No. 470.
Pages H5543–44
Recess:
The House recessed at 4:25 p.m. and reconvened at 4:55 p.m.
Page H5564
Suspension--Proceedings Resumed:
The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Monday, July 27th:
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015:
H.R. 675, amended, to increase, effective as of December 1, 2015, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 409 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 472.
Page H5545
Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To increase, effective as of December 1, 2015, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, to improve the processing of claims by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.''.
Page H5545
Committee Elections:
The House agreed to H. Res. 387, electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.
Page H5572
Official Objectors for the Private Calendar for the 114th Congress:
On behalf of the Majority and Minority leadership, the Chair announced the following official objectors for the Private Calendar for the 114th Congress: Representatives Goodlatte, Sensenbrenner, and Gowdy for the Majority and Representatives Serrano, Nadler, and Bass for the Minority.
Page H5572
Commission on Care--Appointment:
Read a letter from Representative Pelosi, Democratic Leader, in which she appointed Mr. Michael Blecker of San Francisco, California to the Commission on Care.
Page H5574
Quorum Calls--Votes:
Two yea-and-nay votes and eleven recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H5543–44, H5544–45, H5545, H5564–65, H5565–66, H5566, H5566–67, H5567–68, H5568, H5568–69, H5569–70, H5571, and H5571–72. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment:
The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Committee Meetings
FIRST PRINCIPLES OF CONGRESSIONAL BUDGETING
Committee on the Budget:
Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``First Principles of Congressional Budgeting''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
REVIEWING THE POLICIES AND PRIORITIES OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Committee on Education and the Workforce:
Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Reviewing the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services''. Testimony was heard from Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
CONTINUING CONCERNS WITH THE FEDERAL SELECT AGENT PROGRAM: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SHIPMENTS OF LIVE ANTHRAX
Committee on Energy and Commerce:
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Continuing Concerns with the Federal Select Agent Program: Department of Defense Shipments of Live Anthrax''. Testimony was heard from D. Christian Hassell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense, Department of Defense; Dan Sosin, Deputy Director, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Gregory Demske, Chief Counsel to the Inspector General, Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services; and Marcia Crosse, Director, Healthcare, Government Accountability Office.
CONTINUED OVERSIGHT OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Committee on Energy and Commerce:
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Continued Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission''. Testimony was heard from Tom Wheeler, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission; and Ajit Pai, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission.
THE DODD–FRANK ACT FIVE YEARS LATER: ARE WE MORE PROSPEROUS?
Committee on Financial Services:
Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``The Dodd-Frank Act Five Years Later: Are We More Prosperous?''. Testimony was heard from former Senator Phil Gramm; former Member R. Bradley Miller; and a public witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Financial Services:
Full Committee began a markup on H.R. 766, the ``Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2015''; H.R. 1210, the ``Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act''; H.R. 1317, to amend the Commodity Exchange Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to specify how clearing requirements apply to certain affiliate transactions, and for other purposes; H.R. 1553, the ``Small Bank Exam Cycle Reform Act of 2015''; H.R. 1737, the ``Reforming CFPB Indirect Auto Financing Guidance Act''; H.R. 1839, the ``Reforming Access for Investments in Startup Enterprises Act of 2015''; H.R. 1941, the ``Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act''; H.R. 2091, the ``Child Support Assistance Act of 2015''; H.R. 2243, the ``Equity in Government Compensation Act of 2015''; H.R. 2643, the ``State Licensing Efficiency Act of 2015''; H.R. 2912, the ``Centennial Monetary Commission Act of 2015''; H.R. 3032, the ``Securities and Exchange Commission Reporting Modernization Act''; H.R. 3189, the ``Fed Oversight Reform and Modernization Act of 2015''; and H.R. 3192, the ``Homebuyers Assistance Act''.
IRAN NUCLEAR AGREEMENT: THE ADMINISTRATION'S CASE
Committee on Foreign Affairs:
Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Iran Nuclear Agreement: The Administration's Case''. Testimony was heard from John Kerry, Secretary of State, Department of State; Jacob Lew, Secretary of the Treasury, Department of the Treasury; and Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Energy, Department of Energy.
THE IRAN–NORTH KOREA STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
Committee on Foreign Affairs:
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade; Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific; and Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, held a joint hearing entitled ``The Iran-North Korea Strategic Alliance''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
PROMOTING AND INCENTIVIZING CYBERSECURITY BEST PRACTICES
Committee on Homeland Security:
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies held a hearing entitled ``Promoting and Incentivizing Cybersecurity Best Practices''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
AMERICA'S GROWING HEROIN EPIDEMIC
Committee on the Judiciary:
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``America's Growing Heroin Epidemic''. Testimony was heard from Michael Botticelli, Director, White House Office of National Drug Policy Center; John (Jack) Riley, Acting Deputy Administrator, Drug Enforcement Association; Nancy G. Parr, Commonwealth Attorney, City of Chesapeake, Virginia; and Angela R. Pacheco, First Judicial District Attorney, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
ACCOUNTABILITY, POLICIES, AND TACTICS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND FOREST SERVICE
Committee on Natural Resources:
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Accountability, Policies, and Tactics of Law Enforcement within the Department of Interior and Forest Service''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
FEDERAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT
Committee on Natural Resources:
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing entitled ``Federal Implementation of the Coastal Zone Management Act''. Testimony was heard from Holly A. Bamford, Acting Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and public witnesses.
IMPACT OF THE BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, AND SANCTIONS MOVEMENT
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:
Subcommittee on National Security held a hearing entitled ``Impact of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
VA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015; SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AND VETERANS HEALTH CARE CHOICE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2015
Committee on Rules:
Full Committee, hearing on H.R. 1994, the ``VA Accountability Act of 2015''; and H.R. 3236, the ``Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015''. The committee granted, by record vote of 9–4, a structured rule for H.R. 1994. The rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order as original text for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs now printed in the bill and provides that it shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against that amendment in the nature of a substitute. The rule makes in order only those further amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, 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 amendments printed in the report. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule also grants a closed rule for H.R. 3236. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided among and controlled by the respective chairs and ranking minority members of the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Ways and Means, and Veterans' Affairs. 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 provides one motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Chairman Miller of Florida, Chairman Shuster, Representatives Takano, Brown of Florida, Heck of Washington, Fincher.
EXPLORATION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM: FROM MERCURY TO PLUTO AND BEYOND
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology:
Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Exploration of the Solar System: From Mercury to Pluto and Beyond''. Testimony was heard from John Grunsfeld, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Robert Pappalardo, Study Scientist, Europa Mission Concept, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure:
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing entitled ``A Hearing on the Federal Radionavigation Plan, H.R. 1684, the Foreign Spill Protection Act, and H.R.
RURAL HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES CREATED BY MEDICARE REGULATIONS
Committee on Ways and Means:
Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to discuss rural health care disparities created by Medicare regulations. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
IRAN
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence:
Full Committee held a hearing on Iran. This was a closed hearing.
Joint Meetings
DYNAMIC SCORING
Joint Economic Committee:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine dynamic scoring, focusing on how it will affect fiscal policymaking, after receiving testimony from former Senator Phil Gramm; John L. Buckley, former Chief of Staff to the Joint Committee on Taxation, and Kevin A. Hassett, American Enterprise Institute, both of Washington, D.C.; and John W. Diamond, Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy, Houston, Texas.
Committee on Armed Services:
to hold hearings to examine the impacts of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on United States interests and the military balance in the Middle East, 9:45 a.m., SD–G50.
Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, to hold hearings to examine best practices at public and private shipyards, 2:30 p.m., SR–232A.
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection, to hold hearings to examine the role of bankruptcy reform in addressing too-big-to-fail, 10 a.m., SD–538.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:
to hold hearings to examine wireless broadband and the future of spectrum policy, 10 a.m., SR–253.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:
business meeting to continue consideration of an original bill to provide for the modernization of the energy policy of the United States, S. 133, to approve and implement the Klamath Basin agreements, to improve natural resource management, support economic development, and sustain agricultural production in the Klamath River Basin in the public interest and the interest of the United States, S. 145, to require the Director of the National Park Service to refund to States all State funds that were used to reopen and temporarily operate a unit of the National Park System during the October 2013 shutdown, S. 146, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements with States and political subdivisions of States providing for the continued operation, in whole or in part, of public land, units of the National Park System, units of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and units of the National Forest System in the State during any period in which the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture is unable to maintain normal level of operations at the units due to a lapse in appropriations, S. 329, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Farmington River and Salmon Brook in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, S. 403, to revise the authorized route of the North Country National Scenic Trail in northeastern Minnesota and to extend the trail into Vermont to connect with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, S. 521, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of President Station in Baltimore, Maryland, S. 583, to establish certain wilderness areas in central Idaho and to authorize various land conveyances involving National Forest System land and Bureau of Land Management land in central Idaho, S. 593, to require the Secretary of the Interior to submit to Congress a report on the efforts of the Bureau of Reclamation to manage its infrastructure assets, S. 610, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of P.S. 103 in West Baltimore, Maryland and for other purposes, S. 720, to promote energy savings in residential buildings and industry, S. 873, to designate the wilderness within the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in the State of Alaska as the Jay S. Hammond Wilderness Area, S. 1103, to reinstate and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving Clark Canyon Dam, S. 1104, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Gibson Dam, S. 1240, to designate the Cerro del Yuta and Rio San Antonio Wilderness Areas in the State of New Mexico, S. 1305, to amend the Colorado River Storage Project Act to authorize the use of the active capacity of the Fontenelle Reservoir, S. 1483, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the James K. Polk Home in Columbia, Tennessee, as a unit of the National Park System, S. 1694, to amend Public Law 103–434 to authorize Phase III of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project for the purposes of improving water management in the Yakima River basin, and an original bill to provide for reforms of the administration of the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States, 10 a.m., SD–366.
Committee on Environment and Public Works:
business meeting to consider the nominations of Vanessa Lorraine Allen Sutherland, of Virginia, to be Chairperson of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board for a term of five years, Kristen Marie Kulinowski, of New York, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board for a term of five years, Gregory Guy Nadeau, of Maine, to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, and Eric Martin Satz, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 2018, Time to be announced, Room to be announced.
Committee on Foreign Relations:
business meeting to consider S. 284, to impose sanctions with respect to foreign persons responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, S. 1632, to require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram, an original bill entitled, ``Afghanistan Accountability Act'', and the nominations of Michele Thoren Bond, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Consular Affairs), and Sarah Elizabeth Mendelson, to be Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, and to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, both of the District of Columbia, Sheila Gwaltney, of California, to be Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, Perry L. Holloway, of South Carolina, to be Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Laura Farnsworth Dogu, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Nicaragua, Peter F. Mulrean, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti, Paul Wayne Jones, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Poland, Gayle Smith, of Ohio, to be Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, Kathleen Ann Doherty, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, James Desmond Melville, Jr., of New Jersey, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia, Samuel D. Heins, of Minnesota, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway, all of the Department of State, and routine lists in the Foreign Service; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, 10 a.m., SD–419.
Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, to hold hearings to examine the financial crisis in Greece, focusing on implications and lessons learned, 2 p.m., SD–419.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:
to hold hearings to examine reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, focusing on combating campus sexual assault, 9 a.m., SH–216.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
business meeting to consider an original bill entitled, ``Department of Homeland Security Border Security Metrics Act of 2015'', an original bill entitled, ``Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2015'', an original bill entitled, ``EINSTEIN Act of 2015'', S. 1073, to amend the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012, including making changes to the Do Not Pay initiative, for improved detection, prevention, and recovery of improper payments to deceased individuals, an original bill entitled, ``Quarterly Financial Reporting Reauthorization Act of 2015'', S. 1607, to affirm the authority of the President to require independent regulatory agencies to comply with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to executive agencies, S. 1526, to amend title 10 and title 41, United States Code, to improve the manner in which Federal contracts for construction and design services are awarded, to prohibit the use of reverse auctions for design and construction services procurements, to amend title 31 and 41, United States Code, to improve the payment protections available to construction contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers for work performed, S. 1820, to require agencies to publish an advance notice of proposed rule making for major rules, S. 1817, to improve the effectiveness of major rules in accomplishing their regulatory objectives by promoting retrospective review, S. 1808, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a Northern Border threat analysis, S. 779, to provide for Federal agencies to develop public access policies relating to research conducted by employees of that agency or from funds administered by that agency, S. Res. 104, to express the sense of the Senate regarding the success of Operation Streamline and the importance of prosecuting first time illegal border crossers, S. 708, to establish an independent advisory committee to review certain regulations, S. 1170, to amend title 39, United States Code, to extend the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a semipostal to raise funds for breast cancer research, H.R. 1531, to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide a pathway for temporary seasonal employees in Federal land management agencies to compete for vacant permanent positions under internal merit promotion procedures, an original bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 99 West 2nd Street in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, as the ``Lieutenant Colonel James `Maggie' Megellas Post Office'', S. 1596, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2082 Stringtown Road in Grove City, Ohio, as the ``Specialist Joseph W. Riley Post Office Building'', and the nomination of Denise Turner Roth, of North Carolina, to be Administrator of General Services, 10 a.m., SD–342.
Committee on Indian Affairs:
business meeting to consider S. 383, to provide for Indian trust asset management reform, and S. 732, to amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian tribes, to be immediately followed by an oversight hearing to examine the true costs of alcohol and drug abuse in Native communities, 2:15 p.m., SD–628.
Committee on Judiciary:
Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts, to hold hearings to examine IRS targeting, focusing on progress of agency reforms and congressional options, 2 p.m., SD–106.
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship:
business meeting to consider S. 1400, to amend the Small Business Act to direct the task force of the Office of Veterans Business Development to provide access to and manage the distribution of excess or surplus property to veteran-owned small businesses, S. 1756, to help small businesses take advantage of energy efficiency, S. 1857, to amend the Small Business Act to provide for expanded participation in the microloan program, S. 1866, to establish the veterans' business outreach center program, to improve the programs for veterans of the Small Business Administration, an original bill entitled, ``A Sense of the Committee on the Small Business Tax Compliance Relief Act of 2015'', and an original bill entitled, ``Veterans Entrepreneurial Transition Act of 2015'', Time to be announced, S–216, Capitol.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs:
to hold hearings to examine ending veteran homelessness, 2:30 p.m., SR–418.
Committee on Agriculture,
Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Dodd-Frank Turns Five: Assessing the Progress of Global Derivatives Reforms'', 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth.
Committee on Armed Services,
Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Potential Implications in the Region of the Iran Deal'', 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Full Committee, markup on H.R. 985, ``Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2015''; H.R. 3154, ``E-Warranty Act of 2015''; H.R. 1344, ``Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2015''; H.R. 1462, ``Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015''; H.R. 1725, ``National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Authorization Act of 2015''; and H.R. 2820, ``Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2015'', 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services,
Full Committee, markup on H.R. 766, the ``Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2015''; H.R. 1210, the ``Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act''; H.R. 1317, to amend the Commodity Exchange Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to specify how clearing requirements apply to certain affiliate transactions, and for other purposes; H.R. 1553, the ``Small Bank Exam Cycle Reform Act of 2015''; H.R. 1737, the ``Reforming CFPB Indirect Auto Financing Guidance Act''; H.R. 1839, the ``Reforming Access for Investments in Startup Enterprises Act of 2015''; H.R. 1941, the ``Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act''; H.R. 2091, the ``Child Support Assistance Act of 2015''; H.R. 2243, the ``Equity in Government Compensation Act of 2015''; H.R. 2643, the ``State Licensing Efficiency Act of 2015''; H.R. 2912, the ``Centennial Monetary Commission Act of 2015''; H.R. 3032, the ``Securities and Exchange Commission Reporting Modernization Act''; H.R. 3189, the ``Fed Oversight Reform and Modernization Act of 2015''; and H.R. 3192, the ``Homebuyers Assistance Act'' (continued), 9 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Women Under ISIS Rule: From Brutality to Recruitment'', 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, hearing entitled ``Threats to Press Freedom in the Americas'', 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Committee on Homeland Security,
Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Aviation Security Challenges: Is TSA ready for the threats of today?'', 10 a.m., 311 Cannon.
Committee on the Judiciary,
Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, hearing entitled ``Internet of Things'', 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Natural Resources,
Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Federal Agencies' Selective Enforcement of ESA Consultation'', 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
Full Committee, hearing entitled ``EPA Mismanagement, Part II'', 9 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Information Technology; and Subcommittee on Government Operations, joint hearing entitled ``DATA Act Implementation'', 1 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
Subcommittee on Energy, hearing entitled ``A Review of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Licensing Process'', 9 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Program for Wednesday:
Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 22, Hire More Heroes Act. At 10 a.m., Senate will vote on or in relation to a series of amendments to H.R. 22, followed by a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill.
Following the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 22, Senate will begin consideration of the nominations of Allison Beck, of the District of Columbia, to be Federal Mediation and Conciliation Director, Jeffrey Michael Prieto, of California, to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture, and Carol Fortine Ochoa, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, General Services Administration, and vote on confirmation of the nominations.
Program for Wednesday:
Consideration of H.R. 1994--VA Accountability Act of 2015 (Subject to a Rule). Consideration of H.R. 3236--Highway Trust Fund Extension (Subject to a Rule).
HOUSE
Barletta, Lou, Pa., E1136, E1137, E1138
Barr, Andy, Ky., E1142
Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E1143
Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E1147, E1152
Blum, Rod, Iowa, E1149, E1150, E1153
Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E1141
Brooks, Susan W., Ind., E1148, E1152
Brownley, Julia, Calif., E1139
Carter, Earl L. ``Buddy'', Ga., E1149, E1153
Castor, Kathy, Fla., E1136
Clay, Wm. Lacy, Mo., E1149
Coffman, Mike, Colo., E1144, E1145, E1145
Cohen, Steve, Tenn., E1145
Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1146, E1151
Denham, Jeff, Calif., E1150, E1151
Farr, Sam, Calif., E1136
Foxx, Virginia, N.C., E1141
Frankel, Lois, Fla., E1145
Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E1143
Granger, Kay, Tex., E1135
Heck, Joseph J., Nev., E1142
Huffman, Jared, Calif., E1135
Huizenga, Bill, Mich., E1146
Israel, Steve, N.Y., E1135
Jackson Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1139, E1150
Kato, John, N.Y., E1136
Kilmer, Derek, Wash., E1139
Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1139
McDermott, Jim, Wash., E1147
McGovern, James P., Mass., E1143
McMorris Rodgers, Cathy, Wash., E1141
Meehan, Patrick, Pa., E1145
Messer, Luke, Ind., E1142
Neal, Richard E., Mass., E1149
Olson, Pete, Tex., E1145, E1146, E1152
Perlmutter, Ed, Colo., E1137
Pittenger, Robert, N.S., E1141
Renacci, James B., Ohio, E1143
Ruiz, Raul, Calif., E1148, E1152
Russell, Steve, Okla., E1135
Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr., Wisc., E1153
Sewell, Terri A., Ala., E1140
Shimkus, John, Ill., E1136
Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E1140
Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E1137
Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1140
Torres, Norma J., Calif., E1144
Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E1150
Walden, Greg, Ore., E1140
Wilson, Joe, S.C., E1145
Yoder, Kevin, Kans., E1144
Young, David, Iowa, E1144, E1145, E1146, E1146, E1147, E1148, E1148, E1149, E1150, E1151