Thursday, January 16, 2020

HIGHLIGHTS

Senate passed H.R. 5430, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act.

Senate received the House managers to exhibit the Articles of Impeachment.

The Chief Justice and Members of the Senate were administered the oath to sit as a Court of Impeachment.

Measures Introduced: Seventeen bills and six resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3201–3217, S.J. Res. 69, and S. Res. 474–478.
Pages S276–77

Measures Passed:

Authorizing Representation by Senate Legal Counsel: Senate agreed to S. Res. 474, to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Martin F. McMahon v. Senator Ted Cruz, et al.
Page S261


Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act: Senate passed S. 3201, to extend the temporary scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances.
Pages S261–62


Department of Veterans Affairs Pay Limitation: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 3084, to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the limitation on pay for certain high-level employees and officers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the bill was then passed.
Page S262


Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 886, to direct the Attorney General to establish and carry out a Veteran Treatment Court Program, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Page S262

Moran (for McSally) Amendment No. 1283, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S262


United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act: By 89 yeas to 10 nays (Vote No. 14), Senate passed H.R. 5430, to implement the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada attached as an Annex to the Protocol Replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Pages S256–61, S262–66

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

By 78 yeas to 21 nays (Vote No. 13), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to waive all applicable sections of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and applicable budget resolutions, with respect to the bill. Subsequently, the point of order that the emergency designation on page 233, lines 4 through 8 of the bill was in violation of section 314(e) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, was not sustained, and thus the point of order fell.
Page S265


Congratulating the North Dakota State University Bison Football Team: Senate agreed to S. Res. 476, congratulating the North Dakota State University Bison football team for winning the 2019 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision title.
Page S282


National School Counseling Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 477, designating the week of February 3 through 7, 2020, as ``National School Counseling Week''.
Page S282


National School Choice Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 478, designating the week of January 26 through February 1, 2020, as ``National School Choice Week''.
Page S282

Impeachment of President Trump: Senate proceeded to the consideration of the articles of impeachment against the President of the United States, taking the following actions:
Pages S266–69

Receiving the House Managers: The Senate received the managers appointed by the House of Representatives who presented and exhibited Articles of Impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States.
Pages S266–67

Committee to Escort Chief Justice: The Chair, pursuant to the order of January 15, 2020, on behalf of the Majority Leader, and the Democratic Leader appointed Senators Blunt, Leahy, Graham, and Feinstein to escort the Chief Justice of the United States into the Senate Chamber.
Page S267

Administering the Oath to Chief Justice: Pursuant to Rule IV of the Senate Rules on Impeachment and the United States Constitution, the presiding officer administered the oath to John G. Roberts, Chief Justice of the United States.
Page S268

Administering the Oath to Senators: In conformance with Article I, section 3, clause 6 of the United States Constitution, and the Senate Rules on Impeachment, the Chief Justice administered the oath to the Members of the United States Senate.
Page S268

Trial Summons--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the summons be issued in the usual form provided that the President may have until 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2020 to file his answer with the Secretary of the Senate, which shall be spread upon the Journal, and the House of Representatives have until 12 noon on Monday, January 20, 2020 to file its replication with the Secretary of the Senate; and that the Secretary of the Senate be authorized to print as a Senate document these documents filed by the parties together, to be available for all parties.
Page S268

Trial Briefs--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that if the House of Representatives wishes to file a trial brief, it be filed with the Secretary of the Senate by 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2020; that if the President wishes to file a trial brief, it be filed with the Secretary of the Senate by 12 noon on Monday, January 20, 2020; that if the House of Representatives wishes to file a rebuttal brief, it be filed with the Secretary of the Senate by 12 noon on Tuesday, January 21, 2020; and that the Secretary of the Senate be authorized to print as a Senate document all documents filed by the parties together, to be available for all parties.
Page S268

Furniture, Equipment, and Laptops--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that in recognition of the unique requirements raised by the impeachment trial of Donald John Trump, President of the United States, the Sergeant at Arms shall install appropriate equipment and furniture in the Senate Chamber during all times that Senate is sitting for trial with the Chief Justice of the United States presiding, the appropriate equipment, furniture, and computer equipment in accordance with the allocations and provisions at the desk; and that they be printed in the Record.
Page S269

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Senate sitting as a Court of Impeachment adjourn until 1 p.m., on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.
Page S269

Impeachment Reporting--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, from 10 a.m., to 11 a.m., while the Senate is sitting as a Court of Impeachment, and notwithstanding the Senate's adjournment, the Senate can receive House messages and executive matters, committees be authorized to report legislative and executive matters, and Senators be allowed to submit statements for the Record, bills and resolutions and cosponsor requests, and where applicable the Secretary of the Senate, on behalf of the Presiding Officer, be permitted to refer such matters.
Page S282

Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:

Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy.
Pages S281–82, S282–83

Messages from the House:
Page S275

Measures Referred:
Page S275

Enrolled Bills Presented:
Page S275

Executive Communications:
Page S275

Petitions and Memorials:
Pages S275–76

Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S276

Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S277–78

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S278–81

Additional Statements:
Pages S273–75

Amendments Submitted:
Page S281

Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S281

Quorum Calls: One quorum call was taken today. (Total--1)
Page S268

Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--14)
Pages S265–66

Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:45 a.m. and adjourned at 4:01 p.m., until 2 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S282.)

NOMINATIONS

Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of James E. McPherson, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of the Army, and Charles Williams, of Missouri, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy, who was introduced by Senator Blunt, both of the Department of Defense, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.

BUSINESS MEETING

Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported 157 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

BUSINESS MEETING

Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Andrew Lynn Brasher, of Alabama, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit, Joshua M. Kindred, to be United States District Judge for the District of Alaska, Scott H. Rash, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona, Matthew Thomas Schelp, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, and Stephen A. Vaden, of Tennessee, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade.

Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 27 public bills, H.R. 5625–5651; and 3 resolutions, H. Res. 801–803, were introduced.
Pages H324–25

Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H326–27

Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows:

H.J. Res. 79, removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment, with an amendment (H. Rept. 116–378).
Page H324

Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Cuellar to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H303

Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by voice vote.
Pages H303, H315

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to ``Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability'': The House passed H.J. Res. 76, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to ``Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability'', by a yea-and-nay vote of 231 yeas to 180 nays, Roll No. 22.
Pages H305–15

H. Res. 790, the rule providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1230) and the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 76) was agreed to Tuesday, January 14th.
Page H315

Committee Elections: The House agreed to H. Res. 801, electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.
Page H315

Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, January 17th.
Page H315

Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Herrera Beutler wherein she resigned from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Page H318

Joint Economic Committee--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Member on the part of the House to the Joint Economic Committee: Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (NY), to rank after Representative Beyer.
Pages H322–23

Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H315.

Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote developed during the proceedings of today and appears on pagess H314–15.

Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

No hearings were held.

No joint committee meetings were held.

No meetings/hearings scheduled

No hearings are scheduled.

Program for Friday: Senate will meet in a pro forma session.

Program for Friday: House will meet in Pro Forma session at 10:30 a.m.

HOUSE

Aderholt, Robert B., Ala., E47, E52

Babin, Brian, Tex., E45

Bergman, Jack, Mich., E48, E51

Brooks, Susan W., Ind., E53

Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E53

Carter, John R., Tex., E45

Chabot, Steve, Ohio, E49

Correa, J. Luis, Calif., E45

Courtney, Joe, Conn., E47

Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E50, E52

Dingell, Debbie, Mich., E46, E47, E48, E50, E52

Estes, Ron, Kans., E51

Graves, Sam, Mo., E45, E46, E46, E47, E48, E49

Hartzler, Vicky, Mo., E49

Jackson Lee, Sheila, Tex., E48

Katko, John, N.Y., E46

Lamborn, Doug, Colo., E50

Rouda, Harley, Calif. E46, E51

Scott, Robert C. ``Bobby'', Va., E52

Simpson, Michael K., Idaho, E52

Stefanik, Elise M., N.Y., E51, E51, E53