The publication is reproduced in full below:
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
Senate passed S. 1251, Growing Climate Solutions Act.
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S4735-S4799
Measures Introduced: One hundred four bills and fourteen resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2203-2306, S. Res. 284-296, and S. Con. Res. 10.
Pages S4772-76
Measures Reported:
S. Res. 67, calling for the immediate release of Trevor Reed, a United States citizen who was unjustly found guilty and sentenced to 9 years in a Russian prison.
S. Res. 107, expressing the sense of the Senate relating to the 10th anniversary of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
S. Res. 165, calling on the Government of the Russian Federation to provide evidence or to release United States citizen Paul Whelan, and with an amended preamble.
S. Res. 176, urging all parties in Georgia to seek prompt implementation of the agreement signed on April 19, 2021, and reaffirming the support of the Senate for Georgia, the territorial integrity of Georgia, and the aspirations of Georgians to join the Euro-Atlantic community, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble.
S. 14, to identify and combat corruption in countries, to establish a tiered system of countries with respect to levels of corruption by their governments and their efforts to combat such corruption, and to evaluate foreign persons engaged in grand corruption for inclusion as specially designated nationals under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 65, to ensure that goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China do not enter the United States market, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 89, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to secure medical opinions for veterans with service-connected disabilities who die from COVID-19 to determine whether their service-connected disabilities were the principal or contributory causes of death, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 93, to amend the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to modify the foreign persons subject to sanctions and to remove the sunset for the imposition of sanctions, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 189, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments to be made automatically by law each year in the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-
connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 894, to identify and refer members of the Armed Forces with a health care occupation who are separating from the Armed Forces for potential employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs, with an amendment.
S. 1041, to advance the strategic alignment of United States diplomatic tools toward the realization of free, fair, and transparent elections in Nicaragua and to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to protect the fundamental freedoms and human rights of the people of Nicaragua, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 1061, to encourage the normalization of relations with Israel, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 2000, to promote the United States-Greece defense partnership, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Measures Passed:
Growing Climate Solutions Act: By 92 yeas to 8 nays (Vote No. 251), Senate passed S. 1251, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a program to reduce barriers to entry for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in certain voluntary markets, after taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S4736-43
Rejected:
By 11 yeas to 89 nays (Vote No. 250), Lee Amendment No. 2119, in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S4736-39
Supporting the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration Act: Senate passed S. 1662, to increase funding for the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration and for the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.
Page S4793
Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act: Senate passed S. 2255, to extend the trade adjustment assistance program for one month.
Page S4794
Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act: Senate passed S. 272, to amend the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, to require the budget justifications and appropriation requests of agencies be made publicly available, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S4794-95
CASA/GAL Volunteers' Day: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 219, designating May 18, 2021, as
``CASA/GAL Volunteers' Day'', and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S4795
National Dairy Month: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 268, expressing support for the designation of June 2021 as ``National Dairy Month'' to recognize the important role dairy plays in a healthy diet and the exceptional work of dairy producers in being stewards of the land and livestock, and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S4795
Honoring the Memory of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 270, honoring the memory of the fallen heroes of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew, and the resolution was then agreed to, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Page S4795
Durbin (for Kelly) Amendment No. 2120, to amend the preamble.
Page S4795
National Cybersecurity Education Week: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 279, designating June 21, 2021 through June 25, 2021, as ``National Cybersecurity Education Week'', and the resolution was then agreed to.
Pages S4795-96
Indian Veterans' Home 125th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. 284, recognizing the 125th Anniversary of the Indiana Veterans' Home.
Page S4796
Collector Car Appreciation Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 292, designating July 9, 2021, as ``Collector Car Appreciation Day'' and recognizing that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.
Page S4796
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Senate agreed to S. Res. 293, designating June 26, 2021, as the
``International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking''.
Page S4796
Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 1095, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the disapproval by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of courses of education offered by public institutions of higher learning that do not charge veterans the in-State tuition rate for purposes of Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, and the bill was then passed.
Page S4796
Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2441, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study to assess certain mental health care resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs available to veterans who live in rural areas, and the bill was then passed.
Page S4796
Appointments:
Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China: The Chair, on behalf of the President of the Senate, pursuant to Public-Law 106-286, appointed the following Members to serve on the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China: Senators Rubio, Lankford, Cotton, and Daines.
Page S4789
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: Monday, June 28, 2021, at 9 a.m.; Thursday, July 1, 2021, at 11 a.m.; Monday, July 5, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.; and Thursday, July 8, 2021, at 12 noon; and that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, July 8, 2021, it next convene at 3 p.m., on Monday, July 12, 2021.
Page S4796
Zeya Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Uzra Zeya, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of State (Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights).
Page S4748
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, June 24, 2021, a vote on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, July 12, 2021.
Page S4748
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Page S4748
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S4748
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate resume consideration of the nomination at approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, July 12, 2021; and that cloture motions filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, July 12, 2021.
Page S4796
Su Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Julie A. Su, of California, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor.
Page S4749
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 Uzra Zeya, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of State
(Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights).
Page S4749
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action:
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session.
Pages S4748-49
Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination.
Page S4749
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
By 53 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. EX. 252), Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, of Illinois, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit.
Pages S4743-48
Dawn Myers O'Connell, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services.
Christine Abizaid, of Maryland, to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Faisal Amin, of Maryland, to be Chief Financial Officer, Environmental Protection Agency.
Shannon Aneal Estenoz, of Florida, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife.
Robin C. Ashton, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Central Intelligence Agency.
Patricia L. Ross, of Ohio, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Congressional and Legislative Affairs).
Maryanne T. Donaghy, of Pennsylvania, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection).
Anne Milgram, of New Jersey, to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement.
Carlos Alberto Monje, Jr., of Louisiana, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy.
Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, of Connecticut, to be Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, Department of Health and Human Services.
134 Army nominations in the rank of general.
2 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general.
13 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral.
Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.
Pages S4789-92
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Xochitl Torres Small, of New Mexico, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development.
Homer L. Wilkes, of Mississippi, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment.
David Uejio, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Max Vekich, of Washington, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for a term expiring June 30, 2026.
M. Camille Calimlim Touton, of Nevada, to be Commissioner of Reclamation.
Christi A. Grimm, of Colorado, to be Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services.
Ismael N. Ahmed, of Michigan, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.
Kinan Azmeh, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.
Stacey Michelle Brandenburg, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring December 10, 2025.
Constance Hess Williams, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2026.
Kamilah Forbes, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2026.
Robert Garcia, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring December 10, 2023.
Huascar Medina, of Kansas, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2026.
Christopher Kaui Morgan, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.
Fiona Whelan Prine, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.
Jake Shimabukuro, of Hawaii, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2024.
Laura Daniel-Davis, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior.
Cathy Ann Harris, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board for the term of seven years expiring March 1, 2028.
Cathy Ann Harris, of Maryland, to be Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Raymond A. Limon, of Nevada, to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board for the term of seven years expiring March 1, 2025.
Hampton Y. Dellinger, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Attorney General.
Pages S4796-97
Messages from the House:
Pages S4769-70
Measures Referred:
Page S4770
Measures Placed on the Calendar:
Page S4770
Executive Communications:
Page S4770
Petitions and Memorials:
Pages S4770-71
Executive Reports of Committees:
Pages S4771-72
Notice of a Tie Vote Under S. Res. 27:
Page S4762
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S4776-77
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S4777-88
Additional Statements:
Pages S4767-69
Amendments Submitted:
Page S4788
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S4788-89
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S4789
Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--252)
Pages S4739-40, S4748
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 5:34 p.m., until 9 a.m. on Monday, June 28, 2021. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page (S4796)
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 110
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