Another Productive Week In The Senate

Defense Authorization Bill ‘Aimed At Building Up The Military’ Completed

SEN. JOHN McCAIN (R-AZ), Armed Services Committee Chairman: “I’m deeply proud that the Senate voted overwhelmingly today to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019…. Through the NDAA, Congress is fulfilling its duty to provide America’s service members the resources and tools they need to succeed.” (Sen. McCain, Press Release, 8/01/2018)

SEN. JIM INHOFE (R-OK): “Our greatest responsibility–what we are supposed to be doing here—is defending America. It is also our duty to ensure that this legislation takes care of our men and women in uniform…. I am pleased that this year’s NDAA passed in record time, the earliest since 1996, and well in advance of the start of the next fiscal year.” (Sen. Inhofe, Press Release, 8/01/2018)

“The Senate on Wednesday easily cleared and sent to President Donald Trump a compromise $717 billion defense policy bill aimed at building up the military and blunting Chinese foreign investment and telecommunications technology.” (“Senate Sends $717B Defense Bill To Trump,” Politico, 8/01/2018)

• “If the NDAA is signed soon, as expected, it would be the first time in more than two decades a defense policy bill has become law before the Oct. 1 start of the new fiscal year.” (“Senate Sends $717B Defense Bill To Trump,” Politico, 8/01/2018)

• “The bill continues Republican defense hawks’ efforts to build up the military, which they contend has degraded under years of budget caps and a lack of emphasis during the Obama administration. ‘It is what we have to do to defend America,’ said Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), who has managed the bill for Senate Republicans. ‘After all, the No. 1 thing we should be doing around here is defending America. We’re going to restore what we have lost, and it’s all happening in this bill,’ he added.” (“Senate Sends $717B Defense Bill To Trump,” Politico, 8/01/2018)

“Congress passed a defense-policy bill that some lawmakers say is tougher on China than any in history, as a bipartisan movement to confront Beijing gathers steam. The measure, an annual policy bill that authorizes $716 billion in total defense spending for the coming fiscal year, seeks to counter a range of Chinese government policies, including increased military activity in the South China Sea, the pursuit of cutting-edge U.S. technology and the spread of Communist Party propaganda at American institutions.” (“Congress Passes Defense Bill That’s Tough on China,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/01/2018)

Four More Appropriations Bills Passed, ‘The Most Productive Burst Of Appropriations Activity On The Senate Floor’ Since 2000

SEN. RICHARD SHELBY (R-AL), Appropriations Committee Chairman: “I am proud that the Senate is taking another step toward regular order in the appropriations process.” (Sen. Shelby, Press Release, 7/24/2018)

• SEN. SHELBY: “Together we committed to do what’s good for the process because we want to do what’s right by the American people.  This approach has yielded meaningful results thus far…. This support was facilitated by an open amendment process and a willingness to work together …” (Sen. Shelby, Remarks, 7/24/2018)

“The Senate cleared a second appropriations measure funding four federal departments … In a 92-6 vote, the Senate approved a ‘minibus’ funding the Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Interior Departments. The $154.2 billion measure also provides funding for financial services and general government.” (“Senate Clears $154B ‘Minibus’ Spending Measure,” The Hill, 8/01/2018)

• “The Senate has now approved packages that including funding for agencies and programs in seven of the 12 traditional bills that need to be approved to fund the government.” (“Senate Clears $154B ‘Minibus’ Spending Measure,” The Hill, 8/01/2018)

“The Senate passed a batch of government funding bills with bipartisan support … The annual appropriations process has been moving along at a rapid clip …” (The Washington Post, 8/01/2018)

• “… the most productive burst of appropriations activity on the Senate floor before the annual August break since 2000.” (“For Once, Senate Set to Eclipse House in Appropriations Pace,” Roll Call, 7/30/2018)

Senate Voted To Go To Conference ‘To Get The Farm Bill Across The Finish Line’

SENS. PAT ROBERTS (R-KS) and DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI), Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman and Ranking Member: “This strong group of Senate conferees knows how to work together on a bipartisan basis to get the Farm Bill across the finish line. We look forward to beginning the conference process so we can provide certainty to our farmers, families, and rural communities.” (U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry Committee, Press Release, 8/01/2018)

“The Senate agreed by voice vote Tuesday to go conference with the House to negotiate a new version of the farm bill before the current legislation expires, even if that means working through the summer recess. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he was hopeful the farm bill conference report would be ready for a vote after Labor Day…. Both chambers’ bill versions would authorize and set policies for agricultural research, conservation, nutrition, trade promotion, crop insurance and other programs.” (“McConnell Hopeful Farm Bill Conference Report Ready for Vote After Labor Day,” Roll Call, 7/31/2018)

Senate Confirmed The 24^th Court Of Appeals Judge Nominated By President Trump And 6 More District Court Judges

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “I think it’s the longest-term sort of impact we can have on the future of the country.” (“Trump Is Putting Indelible Conservative Stamp On Judiciary,” The New York Times, 7/31/2018)

“With another judge confirmed Tuesday by the Senate, President Trump and Senate Republicans are leaving an ever-expanding imprint on the judiciary …  The … appeals court confirmation on Tuesday of Britt C. Grant … was Mr. Trump’s 24th circuit court appointment …” (“Trump Is Putting Indelible Conservative Stamp On Judiciary,” The New York Times, 7/31/2018)

“… the Senate unanimously cleared *SIX* of Trump’s district court nominees tonight.” (The Washington Post’s Seung Min Kim, @seungminkim, Twitter, 8/01/2018)