Senate Daily Digest — Thursday, 8/1/2024
Senate convened at 11 a.m., adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
Thursday, 8/1/2024 — Activity – Votes: 2 – Confirmed: 21
Legislation: New: 86, Action: 14, Voted: 1, Passed: 13
Amendments: Offered: 1, Agreed to: 1
Committee — Meetings: 3 • Legislation: Reported: 38
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D806-D809]
Thursday, August 1, 2024
[[Page D806]]
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
See Resume of Congressional Activity.
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S5719-S5839
Measures Introduced: Seventy-one bills and fifteen resolutions were
introduced, as follows: S. 4921-4991, S.J. Res. 107-108, S. Res. 794-
805, and S. Con. Res. 40.
Pages S5733-76
Measures Reported:
S. 4921, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. (S. Rept. No. 118-204)
S. 4927, making appropriations for energy and water development and
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. (S.
Rept. No. 118-205)
S. 4928, making appropriations for financial services and general
government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. (S. Rept. No.
118-206)
S. 4942, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health
and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2025. (S. Rept. No. 118-207)
S. 2088, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all
actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status
by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. (S. Rept. No.
118-208)
H.R. 599, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 3500 West 6th Street, Suite 103 in Los Angeles,
California, as the “Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Post Office”.
H.R. 1060, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1663 East Date Place in San Bernardino, California,
as the “Dr. Margaret B. Hill Post Office Building”.
H.R. 1098, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 50 East Derry Road in East Derry, New Hampshire, as
the “Chief Edward B. Garone Post Office”.
H.R. 1555, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 2300 Sylvan Avenue in Modesto, California, as the
“Corporal Michael D. Anderson Jr. Post Office Building”.
H.R. 3608, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 28081 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo,
California, as the “Major Megan McClung Post Office Building”.
H.R. 3728, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 25 Dorchester Avenue, Room 1, in Boston,
Massachusetts, as the “Caroline Chang Post Office”.
H.R. 5476, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1077 River Road, Suite 1, in Washington Crossing,
Pennsylvania, as the “Susan C. Barnhart Post Office”.
H.R. 5640, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 12804 Chillicothe Road in Chesterland, Ohio, as the
“Sgt. Wolfgang Kyle Weninger Post Office Building”.
H.R. 5712, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 220 Fremont Street in Kiel, Wisconsin, as the
“Trooper Trevor J. Casper Post Office Building”.
H.R. 5985, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 517 Seagaze Drive in Oceanside, California, as the
“Charlesetta Reece Allen Post Office Building”.
H.R. 6073, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 9925 Bustleton Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
as the “Sergeant Christopher David Fitzgerald Post Office Building”.
H.R. 6651, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 603 West 3rd Street in Necedah, Wisconsin, as the
“Sergeant Kenneth E. Murphy Post Office Building”.
H.R. 7192, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 333 West Broadway in Anaheim, California, as the
“Dr. William I. `Bill' Kott Post Office Building”.
H.R. 7199, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at S74w16860 Janesville Road, in Muskego, Wisconsin, as
the “Colonel Hans Christian Heg Post Office”.
[[Page D807]]
H.R. 7423, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 103 Benedette Street in Rayville, Louisiana, as the
“Luke Letlow Post Office Building”.
S. 275, to require the Federal Communications Commission to establish
a vetting process for prospective applicants for high-cost universal
service program funding, with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute.
S. 1570, to amend the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening
Act to require hygienic handling of breast milk and baby formula by
security screening personnel of the Transportation Security
Administration and personnel of private security companies providing
security screening.
S. 1956, to improve the commercialization of Federal research by
domestic manufacturers, with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute.
S. 2086, to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea
Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program, with an amendment in the nature
of a substitute.
S. 2233, to ban the sale of products with a high concentration of
sodium nitrite to individuals, with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute.
S. 2498, to prohibit unfair and deceptive advertising of prices for
hotel rooms and other places of short-term lodging, with an amendment
in the nature of a substitute.
S. 2546, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 100 North Taylor Lane in Patagonia, Arizona, as the
“Jim Kolbe Memorial Post Office”.
S. 3277, to amend the Marine Debris Act to reauthorize the Marine
Debris Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
S. 3475, to amend title 49, United States Code, to allow the
Secretary of Transportation to designate an authorized operator of the
commercial driver's license information system.
S. 3788, to reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act, with
an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 3849, to promote United States leadership in technical standards
by directing the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the
Department of State to take certain actions to encourage and enable
United States participation in developing standards and specifications
for artificial intelligence and other critical and emerging
technologies, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 3943, to require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and
telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet.
S. 3946, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1106 Main Street in Bastrop, Texas, as the
“Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office”.
S. 3959, to require the Transportation Security Administration to
streamline the enrollment processes for individuals applying for a
Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment for
certain programs, including the Transportation Worker Identification
Credential and Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment
programs of the Administration, with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute.
S. 4077, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 180 Steuart Street in San Francisco, California, as
the “Dianne Feinstein Post Office”.
S. 4107, to require Amtrak to report to Congress information on
Amtrak compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 with
respect to trains and stations, with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute.
S. 4394, to support National Science Foundation education and
professional development relating to artificial intelligence, with an
amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 4487, to require the Secretary of Commerce to develop artificial
intelligence training resources and toolkits for United States small
businesses, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S5772-73
Measures Passed:
Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act: Senate passed S.
4367, to provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the
United States, to provide for the conservation and development of water
and related resources, after withdrawing the committee amendment in the
nature of a substitute, and agreeing to the following amendment
proposed thereto:
Pages S5724-46
Capito (for Carper/Capito) Amendment No. 3224, in the nature of a
substitute.
Page S5744
Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act: Senate
passed S. 4199, to authorize additional district judges for the
district courts and convert temporary judgeships, after agreeing to the
committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S5750-53
Saving Money and Accelerating Repairs Through Leasing Act: Senate
passed S. 211, to authorize the Administrator of General Services to
establish an enhanced use lease pilot program, after agreeing to the
committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S5835-36
Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act:
Senate passed S. 4235, to amend
[[Page D808]]
the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reauthorize
grants to support for law enforcement officers and families.
Page S5836
Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic: Committee on
Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 3938,
to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of
Veterans Affairs in Lynchburg, Virginia, as the “Private First Class
Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic”, and the bill was then passed.
Page S5836
Honoring the Memory of the Victims of the Mass Shooting at the Fourth
of July Parade in Highland Park, Illinois: Committee on the Judiciary
was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 752, expressing
the condolences of the Senate and honoring the memory of the victims on
the second anniversary of the mass shooting at the Fourth of July
parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4, 2022, and the resolution
was then agreed to.
Page S5836
Calling for the Immediate Release of George Glezmann: Committee on
Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of S. Res.
753, calling for the immediate release of George Glezmann, a United
States citizen who was wrongfully detained by the Taliban on December
5, 2022, and condemning the wrongful detention of all Americans by the
Taliban, and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S5836
National Airborne Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 797, designating
August 16, 2024, as “National Airborne Day”.
Page S5788
Mann Gulch Memorial Tribute Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 798,
commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Mann Gulch fire by
designating August 5, 2024, as “Mann Gulch Memorial Tribute Day”.
Pages S5788-89
Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 799,
supporting the goals and ideals of Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness
Day on August 21, 2024.
Page S5789
Condemning the Attempted Assassination of Former President Donald J.
Trump: Senate agreed to S. Res. 800, condemning the attempted
assassination of former President Donald J. Trump during a political
rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, honoring the victims who were killed and
injured at the rally, and calling for unity and civility in the United
States.
Page S5789
Honoring William “Willie” Howard Mays, Jr.: Senate agreed to S.
Res. 801, honoring the life and enduring legacy of William “Willie”
Howard Mays, Jr.
Pages S5789-90
National Catfish Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 802, designating
August 2024 as “National Catfish Month”.
Page S5790
Measures Considered:
Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act: Senate resumed
consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 7024,
to make improvements to the child tax credit, to provide tax incentives
to promote economic growth, to provide special rules for the taxation
of certain residents of Taiwan with income from sources within the
United States, to provide tax relief with respect to certain Federal
disasters, to make improvements to the low-income housing tax credit.
Pages S5746-49
During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the
following action:
By 48 yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. 230), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to
consideration of the bill.
Pages S5746-49
Senator Schumer entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which
cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to consideration of
the bill.
Page S5749
Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the
adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President
pro tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leaders be authorized to
make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or
interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action
of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate.
Pages S5836-37
Pro Forma Sessions--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was
reached providing that the Senate convene for pro forma sessions, with
no business being conducted on the following dates and times: Friday,
August 2, 2024, at 12 noon; Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.;
Friday, August 9, 2024, at 10 a.m.; Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 9:15
a.m.; Friday, August 16, 2024, at 10 a.m.; Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at
8 a.m.; Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11:45 a.m.; Tuesday, August 27,
2024, at 9 a.m.; Friday, August 30, 2024, at 11 a.m.; Tuesday,
September 3, 2024, at 2 p.m.; Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 12:45
p.m.; and that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, September 5, 2024,
it stand adjourned until 3 p.m., on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Page S5837
Abelson Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the
nomination of Adam B. Abelson, of
[[Page D809]]
Maryland, to be United States District Judge for the District of
Maryland.
Pages S5749-50
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, and pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of
Thursday, August 1, 2024, a vote on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m., on
Monday, September 9, 2024.
Page S5750
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the
following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to
consider the nomination.
Page S5749
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at
approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, September 9, 2024, Senate resume
consideration of the nomination; and that the motions to invoke cloture
filed during the session of Thursday, August 1, 2024, ripen at 5:30
p.m., on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Page S5837
Vargas Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the
nomination of Jeannette A. Vargas, of New York, to be United States
District Judge for the Southern District of New York.
Page S5750
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 Adam B. Abelson, of Maryland, to be United States
District Judge for the District of Maryland.
Page S5750
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the
following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S5750
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to
consider the nomination.
Page S5750
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
By 59 yeas to 34 nays (Vote No. EX. 229), Dorothy Camille Shea, of
North Carolina, to be Deputy Representative of the United States of
America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador
and the Deputy Representative of the United States of America in the
Security Council of the United Nations.
Pages S5719-23
Dafna Hochman Rand, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary of State
for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
Pages S5761-62
David O. Barnett, Jr., of New Mexico, to be United States Marshal for
the District of New Mexico for the term of four years.
Page S5762
Michael Louis Sulmeyer, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary
of Defense.
Page S5838
1 Coast Guard nomination in the rank of admiral.
1 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration nomination in the
rank of admiral.
Routine lists in the Coast Guard.
Pages S5838-39
Messages from the House:
Page S5767
Measures Read the First Time:
Pages S5753, S5767
Executive Communications:
Pages S5767-70
Petitions and Memorials:
Pages S5770-72
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S5773
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S5776-78
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S5778-93
Additional Statements:
Pages S5766-67
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S5793-S5835
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S5835
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S5835
Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--230)
Pages S5722, S5749
Adjournment: Senate convened at 11 a.m. and adjourned at 5:03 p.m.,
until 12 noon on Friday, August 2, 2024. (For Senate's program, see the
remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S5838.)