The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Highlights + Senate” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Daily Digest section on pages D944-D949 on Aug. 1, 2019.
The Department oversees more than 500 million acres of land. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the department has contributed to a growing water crisis and holds many lands which could be better managed.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
Senate passed H.R. 3877, Bipartisan Budget Act.
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S5279-S5322
Measures Introduced: Thirty-one bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2412-2442, and S. Res. 303-305.
Pages S5311-12
Measures Reported:
S. 2302, to amend title 23, United States Code, to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Page S5310
Measures Passed:
Bipartisan Budget Act: By 67 yeas to 28 nays (Vote No. 262), Senate passed H.R. 3877, to amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, to establish a congressional budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, to temporarily suspend the debt limit, after taking action on the following motion and amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S5281-89
Rejected:
By 23 yeas to 70 nays (Vote No. 260), Paul Amendment No. 932, in the nature of a substitute. (Pursuant to the order of Tuesday, July 30, 2019, the amendment having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, was not agreed to.)
Pages S5287-88
During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action:
By 67 yeas to 27 nays (Vote No. 261), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the bill.
Pages S5281-88
National Workforce Development Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 304, designating September 2019 as ``National Workforce Development Month''.
Page S5318
National Estuaries Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 305, designating the week of September 14 through September 21, 2019, as ``National Estuaries Week''.
Page S5318
Presidential Transition Enhancement Act: Senate passed S. 394, to amend the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 to improve the orderly transfer of the executive power during Presidential transitions, after agreeing to the committee amendments.
Pages S5318-20
Rebuilding Small Businesses After Disasters Act: Senate passed S. 862, to extend the sunset for collateral requirements for Small Business Administration disaster loans, after agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S5320-21
McConnell (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 936, in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S5320-21
McConnell (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 937, to amend the title.
Page S5321
Family Farmer Relief Act: Senate passed H.R. 2336, to amend title 11, United States Code, with respect to the definition of ``family farmer''.
Page S5321
HAVEN Act: Senate passed H.R. 2938, to exempt from the calculation of monthly income certain benefits paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
Page S5321
National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act: Senate passed H.R. 3304, to exempt for an additional 4-year period, from the application of the means-test presumption of abuse under chapter 7, qualifying members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and members of the National Guard who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 90 days.
Page S5321
Small Business Reorganization Act: Senate passed H.R. 3311, to amend chapter 11 of title 11, United States Code, to address reorganization of small businesses.
Page S5321
Authority for Committees--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, Committees be authorized to report legislative and executive matters on Friday, August 16, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Page S5318
Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Majority Leader, and Senator Cornyn, be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions on Thursday, August 1, 2019 and Friday, August 2, 2019.
Page S5318
Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the upcoming 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.
Page S5318
Ebola Eradication Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Democratic Leader, no later than Thursday, September 26, 2019, Senate begin consideration of S. 1340, to authorize activities to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; that Lee Amendment No. 935, be the only amendment in order, that there be two hours of debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, followed by a vote on adoption of Lee Amendment No. 935 with a 60-vote affirmative threshold for adoption; and that following disposition of Lee Amendment No. 935, the committee substitute, as amended, if amended, be agreed to, and Senate vote on passage of the bill, as amended, with no intervening action or debate.
Page S5321
Pro Forma Sessions--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Senate adjourn, to then convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business being conducted on the following dates and times, and that following each pro forma session, the Senate adjourn until the next pro forma session: Friday, August 2, 2019, at 1 p.m.; Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at 9 a.m.; Friday, August 9, 2019, at 9 a.m.; Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at 12:30 p.m.; Friday, August 16, 2019, at 3 p.m.; Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at 9 a.m.; Friday, August 23, 2019, at 9:15 a.m.; Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at 10 a.m.; Friday, August 30, 2019, at 5 p.m.; Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at 1 p.m.; Friday, September 6, 2019, at 8:30 a.m.; and that when the Senate adjourns on Friday, September 6, 2019, it next convene at 3 p.m., on Monday, September 9, 2019.
Page S5321
Nominations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the previous order of Wednesday, July 31, 2019, with respect to district judges be modified to allow for confirmation votes notwithstanding Rule XXII.
Page S5295
Craft Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Kelly Craft, of Kentucky, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, Department of State.
Page S5298
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, 2019, a vote on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2019.
Pages S5298-99
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S5298
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S5298
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate resume consideration of the nomination at approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, September 9, 2019; and that notwithstanding the provisions of Rule XXII, the cloture motions filed during the session of Thursday, August 1, 2019 ripen at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2019.
Page S5321
Darling Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Elizabeth Darling, of Texas, to be Commissioner on Children, Youth, and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.
Page S5299
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 Kelly Craft, of Kentucky, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, Department of State.
Page S5299
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S5299
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S5299 Akard Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Stephen Akard, of Indiana, to be Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, with the rank of Ambassador, Department of State.
Page S5299
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 Elizabeth Darling, of Texas, to be Commissioner on Children, Youth, and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.
Page S5299
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S5299
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S5299
Cabaniss Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Dale Cabaniss, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
Page S5299
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 Stephen Akard, of Indiana, to be Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, with the rank of Ambassador, Department of State.
Page S5299
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S5299
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S5299
Byrne Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of James Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Page S5299
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 Dale Cabaniss, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
Page S5299
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S5299
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S5299
Bowman Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Michelle Bowman, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Pages S5299-S5300
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 James Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Pages S5299-S5300
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S5299
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S5299
Feddo Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Thomas Peter Feddo, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security.
Page S5300
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 Michelle Bowman, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Page S5300
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S5300
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S5300
Nordquist Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Jennifer D. Nordquist, of Virginia, to be United States Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Page S5300
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 Thomas Peter Feddo, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security.
Page S5300
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S5300
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S5300
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
Richard K. Bell, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire.
Eliot Pedrosa, of Florida, to be United States Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of three years.
Russell A. Berman, of California, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
William English, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.
John Fonte, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
Marjorie Fisher Furman, of Michigan, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.
Claire Griffin, of Washington, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.
Joyce Malcolm, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
Adair Margo, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.
Matthew Rose, of Iowa, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.
William Schneider, Jr., of Colorado, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
Noel Valis, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
Jennifer L. Homendy, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2024.
Thomas McCaffery, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
Michael Faulkender, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
Randolph J. Stayin, of Virginia, to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission for a term expiring June 16, 2026.
Kenneth S. George, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
W. Patrick Murphy, of Vermont, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Kathe Hicks Albrecht, of California, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.
Keegan F. Callanan, of Vermont, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024.
David Armand DeKeyser, of Alabama, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
Robert J. Grey, Jr., of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020.
Kim R. Holmes, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.
Phyllis Kaminsky, of Arizona, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2020.
Abigail L. Kuzma, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2019.
Abigail L. Kuzma, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2022.
John G. Levi, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020.
John G. Malcolm, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020.
Frank X. Neuner, Jr., of Louisiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2019.
Frank X. Neuner, Jr., of Louisiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2022.
Gloria Valencia-Weber, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020.
Jean M. Yarbrough, of Maine, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022.
Mary Anne Carter, of Tennessee, to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts for a term of four years.
Sharon Fast Gustafson, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term of four years.
Ron A. Bloom, of New York, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2020.
Roman Martinez IV, of Florida, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2024.
Mark Lee Greenblatt, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Department of the Interior.
Lisa M. Schenck, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Military Commission Review.
M. Miller Baker, of Louisiana, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade.
Timothy M. Reif, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade.
James A. Crowell IV, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
Jason Park, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
Mark Schultz, of Nebraska, to be Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Department of Education.
Courtney Dunbar Jones, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years.
Emin Toro, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years.
Michael Eric Wooten, of Virginia, to be Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy.
William B. Kilbride, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 2023.
Julie Reiskin, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2019.
John McLeod Barger, of California, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2021.
Rainey R. Brandt, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
Shana Frost Matini, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
Christopher Landau, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States.
Michael J.K. Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be an Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Richard B. Norland, of Iowa, to be Ambassador to Libya.
Jonathan R. Cohen, of California, to be Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Ann C. Fisher, of the District of Columbia, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring October 14, 2024.
Philip S. Goldberg, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia.
Jessica E. Lapenn, of New York, to be Representative of the United States of America to the African Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador.
Wilmer Ocasio, of Puerto Rico, to be United States Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico for the term of four years.
Amy Karpel, of Washington, to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission for a term expiring June 16, 2023.
Ashley Jay Elizabeth Poling, of North Carolina, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring November 22, 2024.
Mary Beth Leonard, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Matthew Keenan, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2020.
Robert L. Sumwalt III, of South Carolina, to be Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term of three years.
Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2023.
1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral.
Pages S5295-98, S5300
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
David Carey Woll, Jr., of Connecticut, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Natalie E. Brown, of Nebraska, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Uganda.
Robert S. Gilchrist, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania.
Steven Christopher Koutsis, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Chad.
Alina L. Romanowski, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to the State of Kuwait.
Jovita Carranza, of Illinois, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
Page S5321
Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination:
A routine list in the Foreign Service.
Page S5322
Messages from the House:
Page S5310
Executive Communications:
Page S5310
Petitions and Memorials:
Page S5310
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S5310
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S5312-15
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Page S5315
Additional Statements:
Pages S5307-10
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S5317-18
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S5318
Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--262)
Pages S5288-89
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 3:15 p.m., until 1 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2019. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S5321.)
