Congressional Record
Proceedings, Debates of the U.S. Congress
February 14, 2017
115th Congress, 1st Session
Issue: Vol. 163, No. 26 — Daily Edition
Entire Issue (PDF)
Sections in This Issue:
Daily Digest
Daily Digest Section (PDF)
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
-
Senate confirmed the nomination of Linda E. McMahon, of Connecticut, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
Senate
Chamber Action
Measures Introduced:
Twelve bills were introduced, as follows: S. 367–378.
Page S1161
Measures Passed:
Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act:
Senate passed H.R. 255, to authorize the National Science Foundation to support entrepreneurial programs for women.
Page S1163Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers (INSPIRE) Women Act:
Senate passed H.R. 321, to inspire women to enter the aerospace field, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, through mentorship and outreach.
Page S1163
Measures Considered:
Social Security Administration Rule Relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act--Agreement:
Senate began consideration of H.J. Res. 40, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, after agreeing to the motion to proceed.
Pages S1142–49, S1149–57
Prior to the consideration of this measure, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S1142
A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that following Leader remarks on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, there be 10 minutes of debate remaining, equally divided, on the joint resolution, and Senate vote on passage of the joint resolution, without intervening action or debate; and that following disposition of the joint resolution, there be 10 minutes of debate, equally divided, prior to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Mick Mulvaney, of South Carolina, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and if cloture is invoked, post-cloture time be counted as if invoked at 1 a.m., on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
Page S1156
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the joint resolution at approximately 10 a.m., on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, under the previous order.
Page S1163
Nomination Confirmed:
Senate confirmed the following nomination:
By 81 yeas to 19 nays (Vote No. EX. 65), Linda E. McMahon, of Connecticut, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
Pages S1138–42
Messages from the House:
Page S1160
Measures Referred:
Pages S1160–61
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S1161
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S1161–62
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S1162–63
Additional Statements:
Pages S1159–60
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S1163
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S1163
Record Votes:
One record vote was taken today. (Total--65)
Page S1142
Adjournment:
Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 5:59 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1163.)
Committee Meetings
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Armed Services:
Committee ordered favorably reported 3 nominations in the Army and Navy.
Also, committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 115th Congress.
LONG-TERM DEFENSE CHALLENGES
Committee on Armed Services:
Committee received a closed briefing on long-term defense challenges and strategies from Robert O. Work, Deputy Secretary, General Paul J. Selva, USAF, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and James H. Baker, Director, Office of Net Assessment, Office of the Secretary, all of the Department of Defense.
SINGLE SERVICEMEMBER AND MILITARY FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services:
Subcommittee on Personnel concluded a hearing to examine Department of Defense single servicemember and military family readiness programs, after receiving testimony from Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey, USA, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven S. Giordano, USN, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green, USMC, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody, USAF, and Stephanie Barna, Acting Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, all of the Department of Defense; Kathy Roth-Douquet, Blue Star Families; and Joyce W. Raezer, National Military Family Association.
SEMIANNUAL MONETARY POLICY REPORT TO THE CONGRESS
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress, after receiving testimony from Janet L. Yellen, Chair, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
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:
30 public bills, H.R. 1029–1058; and 7 resolutions, H.J. Res. 72–73; H. Con. Res. 23–24; and H. Res. 124–126 were introduced.
Pages H1183–84
Additional Cosponsors:
Page H1186
Report Filed:
A report was filed today as follows:
H. Res. 123, providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 43) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule submitted by Secretary of Health and Human Services relating to compliance with title X requirements by project recipients in selecting subrecipients; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 69) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to ``Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska''; and providing for proceedings during the period from February 17, 2017, through February 24, 2017 (H. Rept. 115–12).
Page H1183
Speaker:
Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Fleischmann to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H1129
Recess:
The House recessed at 11:06 a.m. and reconvened at 12 noon.
Page H1136
Recess:
The House recessed at 1:56 p.m. and reconvened at 2:15 p.m.
Page H1151
Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by States for non-governmental employees and Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by qualified State political subdivisions for non-governmental employees--Rule for consideration:
The House agreed to H. Res. 116, providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 66) disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by States for non-governmental employees, and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 67) disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by qualified State political subdivisions for non-governmental employees, by a recorded vote of 227 ayes to 188 noes, Roll No. 91, after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 188 nays, Roll No. 90.
Pages H1139–45, H1152–54
Recess:
The House recessed at 3:52 p.m. and reconvened at 4:15 p.m.
Page H1159
Red River Gradient Boundary Survey Act:
The House passed H.R. 428, to survey the gradient boundary along the Red River in the States of Oklahoma and Texas, by a yea-and-nay vote of 250 yeas to 171 nays, Roll No. 92.
Pages H1154–59, H1159–60[Page:D154]
H. Res. 99, the rule providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 428) and the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 42) was agreed to by a recorded vote of 225 ayes to 187 noes, Roll No. 89, after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 189 nays, Roll No. 88.
Pages H1145–54, H1151–52
Privileged Resolution:
The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 23, providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.
Page H1160
Quorum Calls--Votes:
Three yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1151–52, H1152, H1152–53, H1153–54, H1159–60. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment:
The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Committee Meetings
THE EVOLVING THREAT OF TERRORISM AND EFFECTIVE COUNTERTERRORISM STRATEGIES
Committee on Armed Services:
Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``The Evolving Threat of Terrorism and Effective Counterterrorism Strategies''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
RESTORING BALANCE AND FAIRNESS TO THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Committee on Education and the Workforce:
Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing entitled ``Restoring Balance and Fairness to the National Labor Relations Board''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
SELF-DRIVING CARS: ROAD TO DEPLOYMENT
Committee on Energy and Commerce:
Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled ``Self-Driving Cars: Road to Deployment''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
DEFEATING TERRORISM IN SYRIA: A NEW WAY FORWARD
Committee on Foreign Affairs:
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade held a hearing entitled ``Defeating Terrorism in Syria: A New Way Forward''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
THE FUTURE OF FEMA: STAKEHOLDER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NEXT ADMINISTRATOR
Committee on Homeland Security:
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications held a hearing entitled ``The Future of FEMA: Stakeholder Recommendations for the Next Administrator''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
JUDICIAL TRANSPARENCY AND ETHICS
Committee on the Judiciary:
Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet held a hearing entitled ``Judicial Transparency and Ethics''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:
Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 195, the ``Federal Register Printing Savings Act of 2017''; H.R. 624, the ``Social Security Fraud Prevention Act of 2017''; H.R. 998, the ``Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2017''; H.R. 1004, the ``Regulatory Integrity Act of 2017''; H.R. 1009, the ``OIRA Insight, Reform, and Accountability Act''; and H.R. 1003, the ``District of Columbia Courts and Public Defender Service Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments Act''. H.R. 624 was ordered reported, as amended. The following bills were ordered reported, without amendment: H.R. 195, H.R. 998, H.R. 1004, H.R. 1009, and H.R. 1003.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE FINAL RULE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RELATING TO ``NON-SUBSISTENCE TAKE OF WILDLIFE, AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CLOSURE PROCEDURES, ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN ALASKA''; HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE FINAL RULE SUBMITTED BY SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RELATING TO COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE X REQUIREMENTS BY PROJECT RECIPIENTS IN SELECTING SUBRECIPIENTS
Committee on Rules:
Full Committee held a hearing on H.J. Res. 69, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to ``Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska''; and H.J. Res. 43, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule submitted by Secretary of Health and Human Services relating to compliance with title X requirements by project recipients in selecting subrecipients. The committee granted, by record vote of 7–4, a closed rule for H.J. Res. 43. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their respective designees. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the joint resolution. The rule provides that the joint resolution shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the joint resolution. The rule provides one motion to recommit. Additionally, the rule grants a closed rule for H.J. Res. 69. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the joint resolution. The rule provides that the joint resolution shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the joint resolution. The rule provides one motion to recommit. In section 3, the rule provides that on any legislative day during the period from February 17, 2017, through February 24, 2017: the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved; and the Chair may at any time declare the House adjourned to meet at a date and time to be announced by the Chair in declaring the adjournment. Finally, in section 4, the rule provides that the Speaker may appoint Members to perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period addressed by section 3. Testimony was heard from Chairman Black and Representatives Walberg, DeGette, and Young of Alaska.
STRENGTHENING U.S. CYBERSECURITY CAPABILITIES
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology:
Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Strengthening U.S. Cybersecurity Capabilities''. Testimony was heard from Charles H. Romine, Director, Information Technology Lab, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Gregory Wilshusen, Director, Information Security Issues, Government Accountability Office; and public witnesses.
EXPLORING NATIONAL WORK QUEUE'S IMPACT ON CLAIMS PROCESSING
Committee on Veterans' Affairs:
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing entitled ``Exploring National Work Queue's Impact on Claims Processing''. Testimony was heard from Thomas J. Murphy, Acting Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Ways and Means:
Full Committee held a markup on the committee's Authorization and Oversight Plan for the 115th Congress; Views and Estimates on the Fiscal Year 2018 Federal Budget; and ratification of subcommittee assignments and appointments to the Joint Committee on Taxation. The committee adopted its Authorization and Oversight Plan for the 115th Congress and its Views and Estimates on the Fiscal Year 2018 Federal Budget. The committee ratified its subcommittee assignments and appointments to the Joint Committee on Taxation.
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine mental health care, focusing on examining treatments and services, 10:30 a.m., SD–138.
Committee on Armed Services:
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, to receive a closed briefing on Anti-Access Area Denial challenges in Europe, 10 a.m., SVC–217.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security, to hold hearings to examine stakeholder perspectives on our multimodal transportation system, 2:30 p.m., SR–253.
Committee on Environment and Public Works:
to hold an oversight hearing to examine modernization of the Endangered Species Act, 10 a.m., SD–406.
Committee on Foreign Relations:
to hold hearings to examine ending modern slavery, focusing on building on success, 10 a.m., SD–419.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
to hold hearings to examine government operations susceptible to waste, fraud, and mismanagement, 2:45 p.m., SD–342.
Special Committee on Aging:
to hold hearings to examine stopping senior scams, focusing on developments in financial fraud affecting seniors, 2:30 p.m., SD–562.
Committee on Agriculture,
Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Rural Economic Outlook: Setting the Stage for the Next Farm Bill'', 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth.
Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, oversight hearing on the USDA Office of Inspector General, 10 a.m., 2362A Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, hearing entitled ``Members' Day'', 2 p.m., HT–2 Capitol.
Committee on Education and the Workforce,
Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, hearing entitled ``Providing Vulnerable Youth the Hope of a Brighter Future Through Juvenile Justice Reform'', 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Subcommittee on Energy, hearing entitled ``Modernizing Energy and Electricity Delivery Systems: Challenges and Opportunities to Promote Infrastructure Improvement and Expansion'', 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services,
Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy'', 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on House Administration,
Full Committee, hearing on committee funding for the 115th Congress, 10:30 a.m., 1310 Longworth.
Committee on the Judiciary,
Full Committee, markup on the committee's Authorization and Oversight Plan for the 115th Congress; H.R. 985, the ``Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2017''; and H.R. 906, the ``Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act of 2017'', 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
Full Committee, hearing entitled ``GAO's 2017 High Risk Report: 34 Programs in Peril'', 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy and Environment, hearing entitled ``Examining Federal Programs that Serve Tribes and Their Members'', 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
Subcommittee on Energy; and Subcommittee on Oversight, joint hearing entitled ``Risky Business: The DOE Loan Guarantee Program'', 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Committee on Small Business,
Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Start-ups Stalling? The Tax Code as a Barrier to Entrepreneurship'', 11 a.m., 2360 Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
Subcommittee on Aviation, hearing entitled ``Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: State of American Aviation Manufacturing'', 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Full Committee, markup on a resolution to assign Congressman Sablan, Congresswoman Esty, and Congressman Peters to subcommittees, 9 a.m., 334 Cannon.
Committee on Ways and Means,
Subcommittee on Human Resources, hearing entitled ``The Geography of Poverty'', 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth.
Program for Wednesday:
Senate will continue consideration of H.J. Res. 40, Social Security Administration Rule Relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act, and vote on passage of the joint resolution.
Following disposition of H.J. Res. 40, Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Mick Mulvaney, of South Carolina, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Program for Wednesday:
Consideration of H.J. Res. 42--Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to drug testing of unemployment compensation applicants. Consideration of H.J. Res. 66--Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by States for non-governmental employees. Consideration of H.J. Res. 67--Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by qualified State political subdivisions for non-governmental employees.
HOUSE
Beatty, Joyce, Ohio, E190
Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga, E190
Boyle, Brendan F., Pa., E187
Brady, Kevin, Tex., E189
Collins, Doug, Ga., E193
Comstock, Barbara, Va., E188, E193
Davis, Danny K., Ill., E191
DeSaulnier, Mark, Calif., E194
Delaney, John K., Md., E187
Farenthold, Blake, Tex., E185
Gonzßlez-Colón, Jenniffer, Pueto Rico., E189
Gosar, Paul, Ariz., E185
Gutiérrez, Luis V., Ill., E187
Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E185, E186, E187, E189, E190, E191, E192, E193, E194
Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E194
Johnson, Henry C. ``Hank'', Jr., Ga., E186, E189
LaHood, Darin, Ill., E192
McCaul, Michael T., Tex., E187
Panetta, Jimmy, Calif., E185
Perlmutter, Ed, Colo., E185, E187, E187, E188, E190, E191, E193, E194
Pingree, Chellie, Me., E187, E194
Raskin, Jamie, Md., E192
Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E185
Scott, Robert C. ``Bobby'', Va., E188
Serrano, José E., N.Y., E186
Shuster, Bill, Pa., E186
Velßzquez, Nydia M., N.Y., E194
Welch, Peter, Vt., E192
Young, David, Iowa, E195