Monday, December 7, 2020

Measures Introduced: Six bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 4966–4971, and S. Res. 794–795.
Page S7240

Measures Reported:

S. 4133, to modernize the REAL ID Act of 2005, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 116–303)
Page S7240

Measures Passed:

Relative to the death of former Senator Roger William Jepsen: Senate agreed to S. Res. 795, relating to the death of the Honorable Roger William Jepsen, former United States Senator for the State of Iowa.
Page S7243


DHS Opioid Detection Resilience Act: Senate passed H.R. 4761, to ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agents, and other personnel have adequate synthetic opioid detection equipment, that the Department of Homeland Security has a process to update synthetic opioid detection capability.
Page S7243


Securing America's Ports Act: Senate passed H.R. 5273, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a plan to increase to 100 percent the rates of scanning of commercial and passenger vehicles and freight rail entering the United States at land ports of entry along the border using large-scale, nonintrusive inspection systems to enhance border security, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and a committee amendment to the title.
Pages S7243–44


Orange Book Transparency Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1503, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regarding the list under section 505(j)(7) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
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McConnell (for Alexander) Amendment No. 2693, in the nature of a substitute.
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Schwartz Nomination--Agreement: Senate resumed consideration of the nomination of Stephen Sidney Schwartz, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims.
Pages S7228–36

During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action:

By 48 yeas to 46 nays (Vote No. EX. 254), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.
Pages S7223–24

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding the provisions of Rule XXII, Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Nathan A. Simington, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission at 12 noon, on Tuesday, December 8, 2020; that the post-cloture time with respect to the nominations of Stephen Sidney Schwartz and Nathan A. Simington expire at 4 p.m., on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, and Senate then vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed.
Pages S7235–36

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate resume consideration of the nomination of Nathan A. Simington at approximately 10 a.m., on Tuesday, December 8, 2020.
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Dickerson Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Allen Dickerson, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission.
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A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the nomination of Nathan A. Simington, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission.
Page S7228

Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
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Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
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Broussard Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Shana M. Broussard, of Louisiana, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission.
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A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the nomination of Allen Dickerson, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission.
Page S7228

Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S7228

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S7228

Cooksey Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Sean J. Cooksey, of Missouri, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission.
Page S7228

A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the nomination of Shana M. Broussard, of Louisiana, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission.
Page S7228

Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S7228

Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S7228

Messages from the House:
Pages S7239–40

Measures Referred:
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Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S7240–41

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S7241–42

Additional Statements:
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Amendments Submitted:
Pages S7242–43

Privileges of the Floor:
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Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--254)
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Adjournment: Senate convened at 3 p.m. and adjourned, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Roger William Jepsen, former Senator for the State of Iowa, in accordance with S. Res. 795, at 6:40 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S7245.)

No committee meetings were held.

Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 10 public bills, H.R. 8883–8892, were introduced.
Page H6905

Additional Cosponsors:
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Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:

H.R. 8354, to establish the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 116–618);

H.R. 3797, to amend the Controlled Substances Act to make marijuana accessible for use by qualified marijuana researchers for medical purposes, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 116–619, Part 1); and

H.R. 3429, to provide for health equity and access for returning troops and servicemembers, to provide for ambulatory surgical payment transparency under the Medicare program, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 116–620, Part 1).
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Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Cuellar to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
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Whole Number of the House: The Chair announced that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from California, Mr. Cook, the whole number of the House is 430.
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Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:
Reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and Mongolia and observing the 30th anniversary of democracy in Mongolia: H. Res. 1100, amended, reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and Mongolia and observing the 30th anniversary of democracy in Mongolia;
Pages H6862–64


Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Reaffirming the importance of the strategic partnership between the United States and Mongolia.'';
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Calling for the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws: H. Res. 512, amended, calling for the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 386 yeas to 3 nays with one answering ``present'', Roll No. 236;
Pages H6864–67, H6883


Condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights: H. Res. 823, amended, condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights;
Pages H6867–69


Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of' the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.'';
Page H6869


Recognizing the importance of sustained United States leadership to accelerating global progress against maternal and child malnutrition and supporting United States Agency for International Development's commitment to global nutrition through its multi-sectoral nutrition strategy: H. Res. 189, amended, recognizing the importance of sustained United States leadership to accelerating global progress against maternal and child malnutrition and supporting United States Agency for International Development's commitment to global nutrition through its multi-sectoral nutrition strategy;
Pages H6869–72


Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Supporting sustained United States leadership to accelerating global progress against maternal and child malnutrition and supporting United States Agency for International Development's commitment to global nutrition through its multi-sectoral nutrition strategy.'';
Pages H6871–72


Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020: H.R. 8428, amended, to provide for temporary protected status for residents of Hong Kong;
Pages H6872–77


HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act: S. 461, amended, to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of historically Black colleges and universities through robust public-sector, private-sector, and community partnerships and engagement, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 388 yeas to 6 nays, Roll No. 237; and
Pages H6877–80, H6883–84


Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act: S. 1153, to explicitly make unauthorized access to Department of Education information technology systems and the misuse of identification devices issued by the Department of Education a criminal act.
Pages H6880–83

Senate Referrals: S. 4409 was held at the desk. S. 4684 was held at the desk.

Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on pages H6888–89.

Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H6883 and H6884.

Adjournment: The House met at 12 noon and adjourned at 6:11 p.m.

No hearings were held.

No joint committee meetings were held.

H.R. 5901, to establish a program to facilitate the adoption of modern technology by executive agencies. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–194)

H.R. 1773, to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the women in the United States who joined the workforce during World War II, providing the aircraft, vehicles, weaponry, ammunition and other material to win the war, that were referred to as ``Rosie the Riveter'', in recognition of their contributions to the United States and the inspiration they have provided to ensuing generations. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–195)

H.R. 1833, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 35 Tulip Avenue in Floral Park, New York, as the ``Lieutenant Michael R. Davidson Post Office Building''. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–196)

H.R. 3207, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 114 Mill Street in Hookstown, Pennsylvania, as the ``Staff Sergeant Dylan Elchin Post Office Building''. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–197)

H.R. 3317, to permit the Scipio A. Jones Post Office in Little Rock, Arkansas, to accept and display a portrait of Scipio A. Jones. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–198)

H.R. 3329, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5186 Benito Street in Montclair, California, as the ``Paul Eaton Post Office Building''. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–199)

H.R. 4734, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 171 South Maple Street in Dana, Indiana, as the ``Ernest 'Ernie' T. Pyle Post Office''. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–200)

H.R. 4794, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8320 13th Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini Post Office Building''. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–201)

H.R. 4981, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2505 Derita Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the ``Julius L. Chambers Civil Rights Memorial Post Office''. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–202)

H.R. 5037, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3703 North Main Street in Farmville, North Carolina, as the ``Walter B. Jones, Jr. Post Office''. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–203)

H.R. 5384, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Crosby Street in Mansfield, Louisiana, as the ``Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Sr., Post Office''. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–204)

S. 327, to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for a lifetime National Recreational Pass for any veteran with a service-connected disability. Signed on December 3, 2020. (Public Law 116–205)

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Security, to hold hearings to examine United States Coast Guard capabilities for safeguarding national interests and promoting economic security in the Arctic, 2:30 p.m., SR–253.

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine an essential part of a COVID–19 solution, focusing on early outpatient treatment, 10 a.m., SD–342/WEBEX.

Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, hearing entitled ``The Impact on Women Seeking an Abortion but are Denied Because of an Inability to Pay'', 10 a.m., Webex.

Committee on Foreign Affairs, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``The Balkans: Policy Recommendations for the Next Administration'', 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn and Webex.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, hearing entitled ``Identifying Congressional and Administration Priorities for the Next Congress: How we can support our Veterans through and after COVID–19'', 10:15 a.m., Webex.

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold hearings to examine United States priorities for engagement at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, 10 a.m., WEBCAST.

On Tuesday, Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Nathan A. Simington, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 12 noon.

At 4 p.m., Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination of Stephen Sidney Schwartz, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims, and on confirmation of the nomination of Nathan A. Simington, in the order listed.

During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any cleared legislative and executive business.

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: December 8, Subcommittee on Security, to hold hearings to examine United States Coast Guard capabilities for safeguarding national interests and promoting economic security in the Arctic, 2:30 p.m., SR–253.

December 9, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the invalidation of the European Union-United States Privacy Shield and the future of transatlantic data flows, 10 a.m., SR–253.

December 10, Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, to hold hearings to examine the logistics of transporting a COVID–19 vaccine, 9:30 a.m., SR–253.

Committee on Environment and Public Works: December 9, Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Charles W. Cook, Jr., of Mississippi, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, 9:45 a.m., SD–106.

Committee on Finance: December 9, Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy, to hold hearings to examine investigating challenges to American retirement security, 10 a.m., WEBEX.

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: December 8, to hold hearings to examine an essential part of a COVID–19 solution, focusing on early outpatient treatment, 10 a.m., SD–342/WEBEX.

December 10, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to hold hearings to examine combatting the opioid crisis, focusing on oversight of the implementation of the STOP Act, 10 a.m., SD–342/WEBEX.

Committee on Indian Affairs: December 9, to hold hearings to examine advancing tribal self-governance and cultural sovereignty for future generations, focusing on languages to homelands, 2:30 p.m., SD–628.

Committee on the Judiciary: December 10, business meeting to consider S. 4632, to amend title 17, United States Code, to establish an alternative dispute resolution program for copyright small claims, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to modify the scope of protection from civil liability for ``good Samaritan'' blocking and screening of offensive material, and the nominations of Thomas L. Kirsch II, of Indiana, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, Charles Edward Atchley, Jr., and Katherine A. Crytzer, both to be a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Joseph Dawson III, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina, and Zachary N. Somers, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims, 10 a.m., SD–G50.

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: December 10, to hold hearings to examine small business in crisis, focusing on the 2020 Paycheck Protection Program and its future, 10 a.m., SR–301.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: December 9, to hold hearings to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs response to COVID–19 across the VA enterprise, 10 a.m., SD–G50.

Committee on Agriculture, December 9, Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research, hearing entitled ``1890 Land Grant Institutions--130 Years of Building Equity in Agriculture'', 10 a.m., Webex.

Committee on Armed Services, December 9, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing entitled ``Fort Hood 2020: The Findings and Recommendations of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee'', 1 p.m., 2118 Rayburn and Webex.

Committee on Foreign Affairs, December 9, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Diplomacy or Dead End: An Evaluation of Syria Policy'', 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn and Webex.

December 9, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, hearing entitled ``International Human Rights and the Closing Civic Space'', 2 p.m., Webex.

December 10, Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation, hearing entitled ``Taiwan and the United States: Enduring Bonds in the Face of Adversity'', 10 a.m., Webex.

Committee on Oversight and Reform, December 9, Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, hearing entitled ``Pipelines Over People: How FERC Tramples Landowner Rights in Natural Gas Projects'', 10 a.m., Webex.

December 10, Subcommittee on Government Operations, hearing entitled ``The Elements of Presidential Transitions'', 10 a.m., Webex.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs, December 9, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, hearing entitled ``The Toxic World of Presumptive Service Connection Determinations: Why Should Our Veterans Wait?'', 9 a.m., HVC–210 and Webex.

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: December 8, to hold hearings to examine United States priorities for engagement at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, 10 a.m., WEBCAST

Program for Tuesday: Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Nathan A. Simington, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 12 noon.

At 4 p.m., Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination of Stephen Sidney Schwartz, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims, and on confirmation of the nomination of Nathan A. Simington, in the order listed.

(Senate will recess following the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Nathan A. Simington until 2:15 p.m. for their respective party conferences.)

Program for Tuesday: Consideration of measures under suspension of the Rules.

Consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 6395--William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.

HOUSE

Aderholt, Robert B., Ala., E1098

Bucshon, Larry, Ind., E1098

Budd, Ted, N.C., E1097, E1100

Calvert, Ken, Calif., E1095, E1099

Collins, Doug, Ga., E1100

Cook, Paul, Calif., E1096, E1100

Costa, Jim, Calif., E1095, E1097, E1098, E1100, E1102, E1105

Cox, TJ, Calif., E1100

Dingell, Debbie, Mich., E1096

Foxx, Virginia, N.C., E1102

Gonzalez, Anthony, Ohio, E1098

Huffman, Jared, Calif., E1101

Jackson Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1105

Kelly, Trent, Miss., E1095, E1097, E1099, E1100, E1103, E1104

Lesko, Debbie, Ariz., E1095

McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1101

McGovern, James P., Mass., E1104

Norton, Eleanor Holmes, The District of Columbia, E1096

Reschenthaler, Guy, Pa., E1104

Rouda, Harley, Calif. E1098

Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E1103

Smith, Adrian, Nebr., E1103

Speier, Jackie, Calif., E1095, E1097, E1099, E1101, E1105

Wagner, Ann, Mo., E1096, E1099, E1101