Notice for all gallery members

RE:  Teleworking for Press Galleries Staff

In order to do our part to “flatten the curve” of the CoVID19 virus, all Senate Press Galleries staff will move to working remotely during the current Senate recess period until the Senate returns on April 20, 2020. We will continue to provide all necessary services to gallery members. 

Galleries will be open during the following Pro Forma Sessions:

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 10:00 A.M.

THURSDAY APRIL 9, 10:00 A.M.

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 10:00 A.M.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 3:00 P.M.

This decision was made in consultation with our respective Standing and Executive committees.

It is our pleasure to work with you and hope to return to business as usual soon. Until then, please contact your individual gallery with questions.

The Senate is scheduled to return for legislative business on Monday April 20th at 3:00 p.m. At that time, begin consideration of the nomination of Robert Feitel to be Inspector General of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

At 5:30 p.m. there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Feitel nomination.

The SCC meeting scheduled for Friday April 17th has been postponed. A new date and time will be announced here when scheduled.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 10:00 a.m. Senator Cornyn presided and no business was conducted.

The Senate convened for a pro forma session at 11:00 a.m.; with Senator Murkowski presiding. No business was conducted.

12:03 p.m. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene for pro forma sessions only until 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 20. They will begin consideration of the nomination of Robert J. Feitel to be Inspector General, Nuclear Regulatory Commission. A vote on the nomination will occur at 5:30 p.m.

11:51 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the coronavirus legislation.

11:48 p.m. H.R. 748, the 3rd coronavirus emergency supplemental was agreed to 96-0. Senators Lee, Paul, Romney and Thune were absent.

11:19 p.m. Roll call vote began on passage of H.R. 748.

11:18 p.m. The Sassed amendment was not agreed to 48-48.

Senators voting in favor: 47 Republicans, 1 Democrat: Mancin.

Senators voting against: 44 Democrats, 2 Republicans: Collins and Gardner; 2 Independents: King and Sanders.

Senators not voting: 4 Republicans: Lee, Paul, Romney and Thune.

10:42 p.m. Roll call vote began on the Sasse amendment #1578, with a 60 vote threshold.

10:41 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell and Senator Sasse called up their amendments.

10:36 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on the coronavirus legislation.

10:32 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell withdrew the cloture motion and achieved UC that the only amendments in order be the substitute amendment (#1578) and the Sasse amendment (#1578). He then announced the next vote in the Senate after this evening will likely be Monday April 20th, unless circumstances arise to bring them back sooner.

10:03 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke on the coronavirus legislation.

9:43 p.m. Senator Collins spoke on the coronavirus legislation.

9:37 p.m. Senator Leahy spoke on the coronavirus legislation.

9:20 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke on unemployment insurance.

9:14 p.m. Senator Sasse responded to Senator Sanders statement.

9:04 p.m. Senator Sanders spoke on the coronavirus legislation and unemployment insurance.

8:57 p.m. Senator Peters spoke on the coronavirus legislation.

8:48 p.m. Senator Carper joined the debate on unemployment insurance.

8:38 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke on unemployment insurance.

8:22 p.m. Senator Durbin responded on unemployment insurance.

8:09 p.m. Senators Graham, Scott of Florida, Scott of South Carolina and Sasse spoke on the coronavirus legislation and particularly unemployment insurance.

7:59 p.m. Senator Cortez-Masto spoke about the coronoavirus legislation.

7:44 p.m. Senator Coons spoke about the process for the coronavirus legislation.

6:48 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about Dr. Norman Borlog and also spoke about the coronavirus.

5:00 Senator Leahy spoke about the coronavirus legislation.

4:21 p.m. Senator Udall spoke about New Mexico and the coronavirus legislation.

3:27 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about the coronovirus legislation.

3:12 p.m. Senator Perdue spoke about the coronavirus legislation.

3:05 p.m. Senator Braun spoke about the cornovirus legislation.

2:51 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about China and the coronvirus legislation.

2:24 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the cornoavirus bill.

2:13 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke about the coronavirus legislation and the economy.

1:58 p.m. Senator Lankford paid tribute to Technical Sergeant Marshall Roberts.

1:32 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on the coronavirus bill.

1:09 p.m. Senator Gardner spoke on the coronavirus bill.

12:52 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on the coronavirus bill.

12:43 p.m. Senator Cantwell spoke on the coronavirus bill.

12:37 p.m. Senator Barasso spoke on the coronavirus bill.

12:22 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the coronavirus bill.

12:05 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on the agreement
on the third Coronavirus supplemental. He then achieved unanimous consent that the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.R. 748 occur “at a time to be determined today.”

12:02 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the agreement on the Coronavirus supplemental.

12:00 p.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 12:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.748, Coronavirus Phase III.

Please note, the Senate expects to vote on the agreement in relation to H.R.748.

1:45 a.m. The Senate adjourned.

1:35 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell and Democratic Leader Schumer announced a deal had been reached.

10:55 p.m. Senator Cassidy spoke on H.R. 748.

9:30 p.m. The Senate returned from the recess.

8:20 p.m. Senator Graham and Daines entered into a colloquy about the need to stop negotiating and pass H. R. 748 now. Then asked the Senate recess until 9:30p.m.

5:15 Senator Loeffler spoke on H.R. 748 and paid tribute to all of the agriculture workers keeping the food supply chain running.

4:30 Senator Cassidy spoke on H.R. 748.

3:25 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke on H.R. 748.

3:10 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke on H.R. 748.

2:50 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke on H.R. 748.

2:30 p.m. Senator McSally spoke on H.R. 748.

2:10 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on H.R. 748.

1:54 p.m. Senator Portman spoke on H.R. 748.

1:42 p.m. Senators Boozman and Scott of SC spoke on H.R. 748.

12:50 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke on H.R. 748.

12:32 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on H.R. 748.

12:25 p.m. Senators Ernst and Carper spoke on H.R. 748.

12:00 p.m. Senator Capito spoke on H.R. 748.

11:48 a.m. Senator Schumer spoke on H.R. 748.

11: 22 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the H.R. 748.

11:05 a.m. Senator Blackburn spoke on H.R. 748.

10:42 a.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on H.R. 748 and need to pass the bill quickly.

10:30 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on H.R. 748, vehicle for coronavirus supplemental package.

10:05 a.m. Senator McConnell spoke on the corona virus and H.R. 748, the vehicle for the third coronavirus supplemental package.

10:02 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke on coronavirus and celebrating National Agriculture day.

The Senate convened at 10:00 a.m.

At that time, resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 748, the vehicle for the third coronavirus supplemental package.

There are no votes scheduled at this time.

9:14 p.m. Senator Daines wrapped up for the evening.

9:00 p.m. Senator Daines spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

8:53 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

8:52 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke briefly on the status of negotiations.

8:20 p.m. Senator Bennet spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

8:10 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

7:45 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

7:16 p.m. Senator Sasse continued speaking on the coronavirus supplemental.

7:15 p.m. Majority Leader filed cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 748; and announced there will be no further roll call votes today.

7:10 p.m. Senator Sasse spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

6:54 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

6:50 p.m. Senator Loeffler spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

6:42 p.m. Senator Cramer spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

6:28 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about the coronavirus supplemental.

6:04 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

5:45 p.m. Senator Young spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

5:25 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

5:01 p.m. Senator Cruz spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

4:56 p.m. Senator Braun spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

4:51 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

4:42 p.m. Senator Graham spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

4:32 p.m. Senator Cotton spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

4:21 p.m. Senator Daines spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

4:04 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke on the supplemental.

3:54 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke on the supplemental.

3:43 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke on the supplemental.

3:35 p.m. Senators Portman and Majority Leader McConnell spoke on the supplemental.

3:25 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the supplemental.

3:08 p.m. Senators Manchin and Roberts discussed the supplemental.

2:30 p.m. Senators Hoeven, Moran, Stabenow, Fischer, Hyde Smith, Roberts and Thune spoke on helping farmers and ranchers in the bill.

2:15 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on the supplemental.

2:08 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell discussed the bill.

2:07 p.m. Cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to
 H.R.748, the legislative vehicle for phase III of the COVID response on a party line vote of 49-46.

Senators in favor: 48 Republicans, 1 Democrat: Jones.

Senators against: 44 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders.

Senators not voting: 5 Republicans: Gardner, Lee, Paul, Romney and Scott of Florida.

1:28 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the motion to proceed to
 H.R.748, the legislative vehicle for phase III of the COVID response.1:26 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the supplemental.

1:25 p.m. Senator Daines spoke on the supplemental.

1:22 p.m. Senator Tester spoke on the supplemental.

1:19 p.m. Senator Murphy spoke on the supplemental.

1:14 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on the supplemental.

1:11 p.m. Senator Hoeven spoke on the supplemental.

1:02 p.m. Senator Brown spoke about the supplemental.

12:59 p.m. Senator Perdue spoke about the supplemental.

12:49 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the supplemental.

12:43 p.m. Senator Thune spoke on the supplemental.

12:38 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke on the supplemental.

12:32 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke on the supplemental and engaged in an exchange with Majority Leader McConnell.

12:26 p.m. Senator Collins spoke on the supplemental.

12:25 p.m. The leaders agreed to voice vote the two parliamentary votes, one hour of debate and then a second cloture vote on the motion to proceed.

12:14 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

12:02 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on the coronavirus supplemental.

***

The Senate will convene at 12:00 noon.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.748, the legislative vehicle for phase III of the COVID response.

11:42 p.m. The Senate Stands adjourned until twelve noon on Monday March 23.

10:24 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke on the impact of the coronavirus.

8:42 p.m. Senator Toomey spoke about the impact of the coronavirus.

Senator Menendez spoke on phase three of the coronavirus legislation.

Senator Thune and Wicker spoke on the coronavirus legislation.

7:35 p.m. Senator Durbin and Portman spoke on remote voting and the coronavirus legislation.

7:15 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about small businesses and phase three of the coronavirus legislation. Senator Schumer spoke on the phase three coronavirus legislation and working families.

6:57 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the financial aspects of the coronavirus legislation.

6:48 Senator McConnell spoke about his disappointment that the motion failed.

6:48 p.m. The motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 748 was not agreed to by a vote of 47-47. Not voting: Gardner, Lee, Paul, Romney, Sanders, and Scott (FL).

6:00 p.m. The Senate began voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 748.

5:38 p.m. Senator Rubio spoke about the coronavirus legislation.

5:27 p.m. Senator Loeffler spoke about the coronoavirus legislation.

5:04 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about coronoavirus and the economy.

5:00 p.m. The Senate reconvened.

3:18 p.m. The Senate recessed until 5:00 p.m.

3:11 p.m. Senator Manchin spoke about the financial issues related to the coronavirus legislation.

2:43 p.m. Senator Alexander spoke about the coronoavirus legislation.

2:40 p.m. Senator Thune spoke about coronavirus.

2:10 p.m. Senator McConnell spoke about the status of the cornavirus legislation.

2:01 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the coronavirus and essential workers.

2:00 p.m. The Senate convened and resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 748, the vehicle for the 3rd coronavirus supplemental.

The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 748, the vehicle for the 3rd coronavirus supplemental.

At 3:00 p.m. the Senate will conduct a cloture vote on the motion to proceed.

3:41 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

3:38 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell wrapped up for the day.

Confirmed by voice vote: nomination of Sarah Arbes to be Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Confirmed en bloc by unanimous consent: the following four nominations to Rear Admiral of the Coast Guard:
Miriam Lafferty, James Kelly, Scott Buschman and Steven Poulin.

UC that Senate adjourn until 2:00 p.m. with a vote on cloture on the motion to proceed will occur at 3:00 p.m.. on Sunday.

2:44 p.m. Senator Barasso spoke on coronavirus.

2:15 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke on coronavirus.

1:20 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke on coronavirus.

12:45 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on coronavirus.

12:25 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke on progress on the 3rd supplemental.

12:14 p.m. Democratic Leader Schumer spoke on progress on the 3rd supplemental.

12:02 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke on progress on the 3rd supplemental bill.

12:00 p.m. The Senate convened.

***

The Senate will convene at 12:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 478, the expected vehicle for the 3rd Coronavirus supplemental.

Absent a time agreement a cloture vote on the motion to proceed will occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Sunday, March 22.

4:29 The Senate stands adjourned until noon Saturday, when it will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 748, the vehicle for the coronavirus package.

4:28 p.m. Senator McConnell filed cloture on H.R. 748, to amend the Internal Revenue Code on health care issues. This is the shell to contain the four-part coronavirus response package.

By voice vote, the Senate confirmed Executive Calendars# 604 and #606 through #628, military promotions.

2:50 p.m. Senator Jones spoke about the virus.

2:39 p.m. Senator Blackburn spoke about the virus.

1:50 p.m. Senator Booker spoke about the virus.

12:48 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the virus. He called, among other steps, for a “Marshall Plan” to aid in the medical fight against the virus.

12:29 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the virus.

12:18 p.m. Senator Enzi spoke about the crisis for small business.

12:04 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell said the first procedural vote on the latest coronavirus relief bill could occur Saturday. A four-part package could pass with bipartisan support Monday:

1. Payments to citizens, through supplemental unemployment and other benefits;
2. Small business assistance;
3. A “big, structural response” to the economic crisis, including targeted loans to certain sectors in need;
4. A surge of aid for the medical battle against the virus.

12:02 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the coronavirus crisis.

The Senate will convene at noon. No votes have been scheduled.