Daily Digest

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Measures Introduced: Five bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2539–2543, and S. Res. 433.
Pages S1686–88

Measures Reported:

Report to accompany S. 1015, to require the Federal Communications Commission to study the feasibility of designating a simple, easy-to-remember dialing code to be used for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system. (S. Rept. No. 115–213)
Page S1686

Measures Passed:

Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act: Senate passed S. 2286, to amend the Peace Corps Act to provide greater protection and services for Peace Corps volunteers, after agreeing to the committee amendments, and the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S1688–93

Rounds (for Corker) Amendment No. 2209, to require the Director of the Peace Corps to notify and consult with the Committees on Appropriations before opening, closing, significantly reducing, or suspending a domestic or overseas office or country program.
Pages S1691–93

Measures Considered:

Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act--Agreement: Senate continued consideration of S. 2155, to promote economic growth, provide tailored regulatory relief, and enhance consumer protections, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S1646–56, S1656–84

Pending:

McConnell (for Crapo) Modified Amendment No. 2151, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S1646

Crapo Amendment No. 2152 (to Amendment No. 2151), of a perfecting nature.
Page S1646

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding Rule XXII, the post-cloture time on McConnell (for Crapo) Modified Amendment No. 2151 (listed above), expire at 3:45 p.m., on Wednesday, March 14, 2018; and that if cloture is invoked on the bill, the time count as if invoked at midnight, on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.
Page S1693

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.
Page S1693

Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:

Gilbert B. Kaplan, of the District of Columbia, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade.
Pages S1684–85

Messages from the House:
Pages S1685–86

Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S1686–88

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Page S1688

Amendments Submitted:
Page S1688

Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S1688

Privileges of the Floor:
Page S1688

Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1693.)

DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST AND FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine United States Central Command and United States Africa Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2019 and the Future Years Defense Program, after receiving testimony from General Joseph L. Votel, USA, Commander, United States Central Command, and General Thomas D. Waldhauser, USMC, Commander, United States Africa Command, both of the Department of Defense.

DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST AND FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Cybersecurity concluded a hearing to examine the cyber posture of the Services in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2019 and the Future Years Defense Program, after receiving testimony from Vice Admiral Michael M. Gilday, USN, Commander, United States Fleet Cyber Command, and Commander, United States Tenth Fleet, Lieutenant General Paul M. Nakasone, USA, Commanding General, United States Army Cyber Command, Major General Loretta E. Reynolds, USMC, Commander, Marine Forces Cyberspace Command, and Major General Christopher P. Weggeman, USAF, Commander, Twenty-fourth Air Force, and Commander, Air Forces Cyber, all of the Department of Defense.

NEXT GENERATION BROADBAND

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet concluded a hearing to examine rebuilding infrastructure in America, focusing on investing in next generation broadband, after receiving testimony from Mayor Gary Resnick, Wilton Manors, Florida; Steven K. Berry, Competitive Carriers Association, and Brad Gillen, CTIA, both of Washington, D.C.; Robert DeBroux, TDS Telecommunications, LLC, Madison, Wisconsin; and Michael Romano, NTCA--The Rural Broadband Association, Arlington, Virginia.

STATE AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security concluded a hearing to examine rebuilding infrastructure in America, focusing on state and local transportation needs, after receiving testimony from Kyle Schneweis, Nebraska Department of Transportation, Lincoln; Jordan Kass, C.H. Robinson, Chicago, Illinois; Jo E. Strang, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, Washington, D.C.; and Daniel P. Gilmartin, Michigan Municipal League, Ann Arbor, on behalf of the National League of Cities.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUDGET

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2019 for the Department of the Interior, after receiving testimony from Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the Interior.

STATE FRAGILITY, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT

Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine state fragility, growth, and development, focusing on designing policy approaches that work, after receiving testimony from David Cameron, Commission on State Fragility, Growth and Development, London, United Kingdom.

FOIA REFORMS

Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Freedom of Information Act, focusing on the Administration's progress on reforms, including agency implementation of requirements and the need to take additional action, after receiving testimony from Melanie Ann Pustay, Director, Office of Information Policy, Department of Justice; Alina M. Semo, Director, Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration; and David A. Powner, Director, Information Technology Management Issues, Government Accountability Office.

INTELLIGENCE

Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community.

Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 21 public bills, H.R. 5247–5267; and 8 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 114; and H. Res. 771–772, 774–778 were introduced.
Pages H1541–43

Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H1543–44

Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:

H.R. 4293, to reform the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review process, the Dodd-Frank Act Stress Test process, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 115–593);

H.R. 1093, to require the Federal Railroad Administration and the Federal Transit Authority to provide appropriate Congressional notice of safety audits conducted with respect to railroads and rail transit agencies, with amendments (H. Rept. 115–594);

H. Res. 773, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4545) to amend the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 to improve the examination of depository institutions, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1116) to require the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies to take risk profiles and business models of institutions into account when taking regulatory actions, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4263) to amend the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to small company capital formation, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 115–595); and

Report of the Joint Economic Committee on the 2018 Economic Report of the President (H. Rept. 115–596).
Page H1541

Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Donovan to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H1509

Recess: The House recessed at 12:25 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m.
Page H1512

Recess: The House recessed at 2:05 p.m. and reconvened at 4:44 p.m.
Page H1512

Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:
State Veterans Home Adult Day Health Care Improvement Act: S. 324, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of adult day health care services for veterans;
Pages H1513–15


Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act: H.R. 4465, to maintain annual base funding for the Upper Colorado and San Juan fish recovery programs through fiscal year 2023, to require a report on the implementation of those programs, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 392 yeas to 6 nays, Roll No. 103;
Pages H1515–16, H1529


Directing the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer certain Federal land to facilitate scientific research supporting Federal space and defense programs: H.R. 1800, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer certain Federal land to facilitate scientific research supporting Federal space and defense programs;
Pages H1516–17


Designating the bridge located in Blount County, Tennessee, on the Foothills Parkway (commonly known as ``Bridge 2'') as the ``Dean Stone Bridge'': H.R. 3469, to designate the bridge located in Blount County, Tennessee, on the Foothills Parkway (commonly known as ``Bridge 2'') as the ``Dean Stone Bridge'';
Pages H1517–18


Acadia National Park Boundary Clarification Act: H.R. 4266, amended, to clarify the boundary of Acadia National Park; and
Pages H1518–20


Modifying the boundary of Voyageurs National Park in the State of Minnesota: H.R. 1350, to modify the boundary of Voyageurs National Park in the State of Minnesota.
Pages H1520–21

Suspensions: The House failed to agree to suspend the rules and pass the following measure:
Authorizing the use of eligible investigational drugs by eligible patients who have been diagnosed with a stage of a disease or condition in which there is reasonable likelihood that death will occur within a matter of months, or with another eligible illness: H.R. 5247, to authorize the use of eligible investigational drugs by eligible patients who have been diagnosed with a stage of a disease or condition in which there is reasonable likelihood that death will occur within a matter of months, or with another eligible illness, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 259 yeas to 140 nays, Roll No. 102.
Pages H1521–27, H1528–29

Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appear on pages H1512 and H1528.

Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1528–29 and H1529. There were no quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 12 noon and adjourned at 8:41 p.m.

TAILOR ACT OF 2017; REGULATION AT IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017; FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXAMINATION FAIRNESS AND REFORM ACT

Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 1116, the ``TAILOR Act of 2017''; H.R. 4263, the ``Regulation At Improvement Act of 2017''; and H.R. 4545, the ``Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act''. The Committee granted, by voice vote, a structured rule for H.R. 4545. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment printed in part A of the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The rule makes in order only the further amendment printed in part B of the rules committee report, if offered by the Member designated in the report, which 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 amendment printed in the report. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. In section 2, the rule provides for the consideration of H.R. 1116 under a closed rule. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment printed in part C of the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. In section 3, the rule provides for the consideration of H.R. 4263 under a closed rule. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment printed in part D of the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Hensarling and Representative Maxine Waters of California.

No joint committee meetings were held.

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, to hold hearings to examine Department of Energy atomic energy defense activities and programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2019 and the Future Years Defense Program, 2:30 p.m., SR–232A.

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine rebuilding infrastructure in America, focusing on Administration perspectives, 10 a.m., SD–106.

Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine an original bill entitled, ``the Agriculture Creates Real Employment (ACRE) Act'', 10 a.m., SD–406.

Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, to hold hearings to examine Somalia's current security and stability status, 10 a.m., SD–419.

Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy, to hold hearings to examine food security, 2:30 p.m., SD–419.

Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine opioids in Indian country, 2:30 p.m., SD–628.

Committee on the Judiciary: to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Parkland shooting and legislative proposals to improve school safety, 9:30 a.m., SH–216.

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: business meeting to consider S. 526, to amend the Small Business Act to provide for expanded participation in the microloan program, S. 791, to amend the Small Business Act to expand intellectual property education and training for small businesses, S. 1538, to amend the Small Business Act to establish awareness of, and technical assistance for, the creation of employee stock ownership plans, S. 1961, to amend the Small Business Act to temporarily reauthorize certain pilot programs under the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program, S. 1995, to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve the number of small business investment companies in underlicensed States, S. 2283, to amend the Small Business Act to strengthen the Office of Credit Risk Management within the Small Business Administration, S. 2419, to amend the Small Business Act to improve the technical and business assistance services under the SBIR and STTR programs, S. 2527, to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase the amount of leverage made available to small business investment companies, and the nominations of David Christian Tryon, of Ohio, to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, and Hannibal Ware, of the Virgin Islands, to be Inspector General, both of the Small Business Administration, Time to be announced, Room to be announced.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold a joint hearing with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative presentation of multiple veterans service organizations, 10 a.m., SD–G50.

Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense, budget hearing on the U.S. Air Force, 10 a.m., H–140 Capitol.

Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, budget hearing on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation, 10 a.m., 2362–B Rayburn.

Committee on Armed Services, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Space Warfighting Readiness: Policies, Authorities, and Capabilities'', 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, hearing entitled ``Department of the Air Force FY 2018 Budget Request for Sea Power and Projection Forces'', 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, hearing entitled ``A Review and Assessment of the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for Department of Defense Science and Technology Programs'', 3:30 p.m., 2118 Rayburn.

Committee on the Budget, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``CBO Oversight: Perspectives from Outside Experts'', 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth.

Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy, hearing entitled ``DOE Modernization: Legislation Addressing Cybersecurity and Emergency Response'', 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``Reauthorization of Animal Drug User Fees: ADUFA and AGDUFA'', 10:15 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.

Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Securities, and Investment, hearing entitled ``Examining the Cryptocurrencies and ICO Markets'', 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.

Committee on Foreign Affairs, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Modernizing Export Controls: Protecting Cutting-Edge Technology and U.S. National Security'', 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.

Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security, hearing entitled ``Examining the President's FY 2019 Budget Request for the Transportation Security Administration'', 2 p.m., HVC–210.

Committee on Natural Resources, Full Committee, markup on H.R. 401, to designate the mountain at the Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, as Devils Tower, and for other purposes; H.R. 3008, the ``George W. Bush Childhood Home Study Act''; H.R. 4609, the ``West Fork Fire Station Act of 2017''; H.R. 4851, the ``Kennedy-King Establishment Act of 2018''; S. 35, the ``Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act''; and S. 466, a bill to clarify the description of certain Federal land under the Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act of 2005 to include additional land in the Kaibab National Forest, 10:15 a.m., 1324 Longworth.

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Shining Light on the Federal Regulatory Process'', 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Information Technology; and Subcommittee on Government Operations, joint hearing entitled ``State of Play: Federal IT in 2018'', 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.

Committee on Rules, Full Committee, hearing on H.R. 4061, the ``Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act of 2017''; and H.R. 4293, the ``Stress Test Improvement Act of 2017'', 3 p.m., H–313 Capitol.

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``National Laboratories: World-Leading Innovation in Science'', 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.

Committee on Small Business, Full Committee, markup on H.R. 4743, the ``Small Business 7(a) Lending Oversight Reform Act of 2018''; H.R. 5178, the ``Puerto Rico Small Business Contracting Assistance Act of 2018''; H.R. 3170, the ``Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act of 2017''; H.R. 4668, the ``Small Business Advanced Cybersecurity Enhancements Act of 2017''; H.R. 2655, the ``Small Business Innovation Protection Act of 2017''; and H.R. 5236, the ``Main Street Employee Ownership Act of 2018'', 11 a.m., 2360 Rayburn.

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, hearing entitled ``Review of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs'', 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.

Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Tax Policy, hearing entitled ``Post Tax Reform Evaluation of Recently Expired Tax Provisions'', 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth.

Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to hold a joint hearing with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative presentation of multiple veterans service organizations, 10 a.m., SD–G50.

Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans: organizational business meeting to consider committee rules for the second session of the 115th Congress, 10 a.m., SD–215.

Program for Wednesday: Senate will continue consideration of S. 2155, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, and vote on McConnell (for Crapo) Modified Amendment No. 2151 at 3:45 p.m. Following disposition of McConnell (for Crapo) Modified Amendment No. 2151, Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill.

Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.R. 1116--TAILOR Act (Subject to a Rule). The House is also expected to begin consideration of H.R. 4545--Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act (Subject to a Rule) and H.R. 4263--Regulation A+ Improvement Act (Subject to a Rule). Consideration of measures under suspension of the Rules.

HOUSE

Barletta, Lou, Pa., E298

Bergman, Jack, Mich., E302

Bilirakis, Gus M., Fla., E307

Brooks, Mo, Ala., E303

Buck, Ken, Colo., E297, E301

Carson, André, Ind., E302

Cartwright, Matt, Pa., E297, E299

Comstock, Barbara, Va., E303

Davis, Rodney, Ill., E300

Gaetz, Matt, Fla., E301

Garamendi, John, Calif., E301

Green, Gene, Tex., E306

Jackson Lee, Sheila, Tex., E300, E303

Latta, Robert E., Ohio, E306

Long, Billy, Mo., E302

McCollum, Betty, Minn., E304

Meadows, Mark, N.C., E297

Messer, Luke, Ind., E299

Norton, Eleanor Holmes, The District of Columbia, E299

Olson, Pete, Tex., E297

Perlmutter, Ed, Colo., E297, E297, E298, E298, E299, E300, E301, E301, E302, E303

Rogers, Mike, Ala., E306

Rooney, Francis, Fla., E302

Scalise, Steve, La., E298

Shimkus, John, Ill., E298

Stivers, Steve, Ohio, E306, E307

Thompson, Mike, Calif., E299

Walz, Timothy J., Minn., E299

Wittman, Robert J., Va., E298