The Senate will convene for the last pro forma session of the recess at 2:10 p.m. Following the pro forma, the Senate will adjourn until Monday March 25th at 3:00 p.m.
Monday, March 25, 2019
The Senate met for a pro forma session at 9:30 a.m. Senator Sasse presided, and no business was transacted.
11:02 a.m. The Senate met in pro forma session, Senator Roberts presiding.
The Senate will convene for pro forma sessions on the following days, with no business being conducted:
Monday, March 25, 2019
WASHINGTON – Dan Freedman of Hearst Newspapers and Sam Brodey of MinnPost are co-winners of the 2018 David Lynch Memorial Regional Reporting Award.
They won the prize for stories on sexual harassment in the congressional delegations they cover. The judges said Freedman and Brodey “exemplified the ideal traits of regional congressional reporting,” serving as an accountability watchdog of their delegations and finding deep local implications in one of the defining stories of our time. The panel also cited Nick Grube of the Honolulu Civil Beat for honorable mention.
The Lynch Award honors daily print journalism that explains how actions in Congress touch the local community. Judges look for thorough and incisive coverage, clear writing, and the reporter’s ability to explain complex subjects to a hometown audience.
Freedman and Brodey (who recently moved to The Daily Beast) will share a $2,000 prize. They will be honored tonight at the 75th annual dinner of the Washington Press Club Foundation. The foundation co-sponsors the annual award with the Standing Committee of Correspondents, the governing body of the Congressional press corps.
The late David Lynch was a longtime member of the Congressional Press Galleries. He covered Congress for the Buffalo News and for bureaus that served dailies from New England to Alaska. After Lynch’s death in 1998 from colon cancer, his family, friends and colleagues raised money to establish the award in his name.
The judges were: Tom Ferraro, formerly of Thomson-Reuters; Seung Min Kim of The Washington Post; Paul Singer of the New England Center for Investigative Reporting; David Lightman of McClatchy Newspapers and Carl Weiser of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Links to Freedman: https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Esty-under-scrutiny-over-handling-of-alleged-abuse-12791993.php
https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Esty-staffers-dismayed-by-her-response-to-abuse-12802787.php
https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Source-says-Esty-downplayed-investigation-of-12805660.php
https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/DC-Buzz-Esty-interview-Part-II-12826476.php
Information: John Mulligan, Senate Press Gallery (202) 224-0241
4:00 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about Sunshine week.
3:40 p.m. Senator Murkowski spoke about the Iditarod race.
3:18 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the making the Mueller report public and asked UC that H.Con. Res. 24 be agreed to by voice vote. Senator Graham objected. Senator Graham asked to include an amendment that appoints special counsel to investigate Department of Justice misconduct. Senator Schumer objected.
2:56 p.m. Senator Fischer spoke about the storms in the Midwest and about the sacrifices of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
2:55 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Cal.#15, H.R.268, Disaster Supplemental Appropriations.
2:54 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Cal. #27, S.J.Res.8, Green New Deal.
2:53 p.m. ML McConnell filed cloture on Executive Calendar #20 Bridget Bade to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.
2:53 p.m. By a vote of 59-41, the Senate adopted H.J.Res.46, the Emergency Declaration resolution of disapproval. Republicans voting in favor of the resolution (12): Senators Alexander, Blunt, Collins, Lee, Moran, Murkowski, Paul, Portman, Romney, Rubio, Toomey, & Wicker.
2:15 p.m. The Senate is voting on adoption of H.J.Res.46, the Emergency Declaration resolution of disapproval.
1:45 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke about the emergency declaration.
1:37 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the emergency declaration.
1:20 p.m. Senator Portman spoke about the emergency declaration.
1:11 p.m. Senator Brown spoke on deregulation.
1:04 p.m. Senator Tester spoke about the emergency declaration.
12:54 p.m. Senator Kaine spoke about the emergency declaration and also paid tribute to a departing staffer.
12:45 p.m Senator Reed spoke about Liberia.
12:44 p.m. Senator McConnell announced that the vote on H. J. Res 46-relating to the emergency declaration will occur at 2:15, if time is not yielded back.
12:40 p.m. Senator Shaheen spoke about the emergency declaration.
12:22 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the emergency declaration.
11:55 a.m. Senator Bennett spoke in favor of the resolution overturning the emergency declaration.
11:37 a.m. Senator Durbin spoke about drug prices.
11:18 a.m. Senator Cotton spoke supporting the emergency declaration.
11:05 a.m. Senator Leahy spoke in favor of the resolution to overturn the emergency declaration.
10:57 a.m. Senator Collins spoke in favor of the resolution to overturn the emergency declaration.
10:45 a.m. Senator Udall spoke in favor of the resolution to overturn the emergency declaration.
10:39 a.m. Senator Alexander spoke against the emergency declaration.
10:26 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke against the emergency declaration. He spoke about the trade talks with China.
10:03 a.m. Under Rule XIV, the Senate placed a bill regarding Russia on the calendar.
Majority Leader McConnell spoke against the resolution to disapprove of the president’s emergency declaration. He spoke about border security.
Senator McConnell also paid tribute to “Stew” — his departing communications director and deputy chief of staff, Don Stewart.
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The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.
Following Leader remarks, the Senate will begin consideration of H.J.Res 46, relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019.
No amendments will be in order to the joint resolution.
There will be an effort to vote on passage of H.J.Res.46 at 1:45 p.m.
7:07 p.m. Senate adjourns until 10:00 a.m.
7:05 p.m. Senator Sullivan wraps up the session for the day. S Res 108 (re: Walter Beamon Jones) was passed by UC. HR 1 and HR 1617 had their first reading. UC that Senate adjourn until 10:00 a.m.. Thursday. At that time, consider HJ Res 46 with no amendments in order.
7:05 p.m. SJ Res 7 (Yemen) was agreed to 54-46.
Senators voting in favor: 45 Democrats, 7 Republicans (Daines, Lee, Moran, Murkowski, Paul and Young), 2 Independents (King and Sanders).
Senators voting against: 46 Republicans.
6:04 p.m. The Senate is now voting on final passage of S. J. Res. 7 (Yemen).
6:04 p.m. The Rubio amendment #195 was agreed to by voice vote.
6:03 p.m. The motion to table the Inhofe amendment #194 was agreed to by a vote of 52 to 48. Senators Daines, Lee, Moran, Paul, and Young. Rubio amendment #195 was agreed to by voice vote.
5:29 p.m. Roll Call vote began on a motion to table the Inhofe amendment.
5:25 p.m. Senators Inhofe and Sanders spoke on the Inhofe amendment.
5:24 p.m. The Paul amendment was agreed to by voice vote.
4:53 p.m. Senators Sullivan, Risch and Lee spoke on the Yemen resolution.
4:32 p.m. Senator Reed spoke in support of the S.J. Res. 7.
4:22 p.m. Senator Inhofe spoke about Yemen.
4:20 p.m. Senator Lee received unanimous consent for 4 votes on S.J. Res. 7, Yemen, to occur after 2 hours of debate (as late as 6:20 p.m. but likely earlier):
4:00 p.m. Senator Lee spoke about Yemen.
2:52 p.m. Senators Sanders, Murphy and Menendez spoke on S.J.Res.7 (Yemen).
2:26 p.m. Senators Barrasso, Capito, Rick Scott and Young spoke on the green new deal.
2:25 p.m. The Beach nomination was confirmed 55-44.
Senators Manchin and Sinema joined all Republicans in favor, and Senator Murray was absent.
1:45 p.m. Roll call vote began on confirmation of the Beach nomination.
1:15 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke on the Yemen resolution.
1:05 p.m. Senator Blunt spoke on the green new deal.
1:04 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Beach nomination on a party line vote of 55-43. Senators Manchin and Sinema joined all Republicans in favor, and Senators Duckworth and Murray was absent. The Confirmation vote is scheduled at 1:45 p.m.
12:41 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the Beach nomination.
12:40 p.m. The Rao nomination was confirmed on a party line vote of 53-46; with Senator Murray absent.
12:00 p.m. The Senate began voting on the Rao nomination.
11:40 a.m. Senator Daines spoke against the Green New Deal.
11:30 a.m. Senator Hassan spoke about border security and also spoke against the Rao nomination.
11:09 a.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about border security.
10:57 a.m. Senator Burr spoke about Deputy Staff Director Christian Cook.
10:32 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about climate change and the Green New Deal.
10:09 a.m. Senator Hirono spoke against the consideration of judicial nominations without the assent of home-state senators through the “blue slip” practice. She spoke against the Rao nomination.
9:54 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke against the resolution to kill the president’s emergency declaration. He spoke about the president’s 2020 federal budget request. He spoke about trade with China.
9:36 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke in favor of the Rao nomination and other executive nominations. He spoke against the Yemen resolution. He spoke about the Green New Deal.
9:33 a.m. The Senate resumed consideration of the Rao nomination.
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The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.
Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #107, Neomi Rao to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, post-cloture.
At 12:00 p.m. – 2 roll call votes:
1. Confirmation of the Rao nomination.
2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #98, William Beach to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
At 1:45 p.m.- 1 roll call vote:
1. Confirmation of the Beach nomination.
The Senate is also expected to consider S.J.Res.7 (Yemen) during Wednesday’s session.
7:07 p.m. The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the Rao nomination to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. The Senate is also expected to consider S.J.Res.7 (Re: Yemen) during Wednesday’s session.
Senate votes scheduled:
12:00 pm Wednesday – 2 roll call votes:
1:45 pm Wednesday – 1 roll call vote:
6:54 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke against the Rao nomination.
6:32 p.m. Senator Van Hollen spoke on climate change.
6:20 p.m. ML McConnell began wrap up, passed: S. Res. 105, Designating March 2019 National Colorectal Cancer Month passed by u.c.; S.Res. 106, Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the United Negro College Fund, passed by u.c.; S.Res. 107, Authorizing Testimony and Representation in the United States V. Talbert, passed by u.c.; S.Res. 91, March 3, 2019 designated as World Wildlife Day, passed by voice vote as amended.
6:14 p.m. Senator Whitehouse spoke about climate change.
6:06 p.m. Senator Warren spoke against the Rao nomination.
5:47 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about President Jimmy Carter and medical research.
5:12 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about President Erdogan and NBA player Enes Kanter.
4:50 p.m. Senator Lankford spoke on trade with China.
4:40 p.m. Senator Jones spoke about ending the Widow’s Tax.
4:15 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Accountability through Electronic Verification Act.
4:00 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke on the Rao nomination.
3:45 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke about the passage of the E.R.A.
3:40 p.m. Senator Barrasso offered resolution regarding Medicare for All. Hirono objected
3:35 p.m. Senator Hirono spoke about the resolution regarding the Affordable Care Act.
3:31 p.m. The Senate invoked cloture on the Rao nomination by a vote of 53-46. Senator Murray did not vote.
3:00 p.m. The Senate is voting on the motion to invoke cloture on Neomi Rao to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.
2:59 p.m. The Senate confirmed the nomination of Paul Matey to be the U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit by a vote of 54-45.
2:30 p.m. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of Paul Matey to be the U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.
12:28 p.m. Senator Gardner paid tribute to Sam Mammott of the Colorado Municipal League.
12:05 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about the Rao nomination.
10:46 a.m. Senator Booker spoke against the Matey nomination.
10:39 a.m. Senator Thune spoke on tax reform.
10:21 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the budget. He spoke about stock buybacks.
10:03 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the president’s 2020 budget request and about nominations. He spoke about Medicare.
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The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Paul Matey to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, post-cloture.
The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.
At 2:30 p.m. the Senate will proceed to two roll call votes:
Cloture has also been filed on the nomination of William Beach to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor. The cloture vote with respect to the Beach nomination will occur following disposition of the Rao nomination.
7:28 p.m. The Senate adjourned.
6:56 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about immigration and about a bill to advance equality for persons of all sexual orientations.
6:54 p.m. The Senate consented to have post-cloture time on the Matey nomination expire at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow.
By consent, the Senate passed S.Res. 103, to make March 27 National Assistive Technology Awareness Day.
S. 729, regarding federal research on climate change, was placed on the calendar under Rule XIV.
The Senate consented to meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, to resume post-cloture consideration of the Matey nomination and to recess for weekly luncheons from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m.
6:48 p.m. Senator Boozman spoke about the American Legion.
6:25 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about immigration.
6:15 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke about the Matey nomination and the blue slip process.
6:12 p.m. Senator Isakson paid tribute to Dick Williams, a long time columnist for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, upon his retirement.
6:11 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Matey nomination on a party line vote of 50-44.
Senators not voting: 3 Republicans: Graham, Murkowski and Perdue; 2 Democrats: Manchin and Murray; 1 Independent: Sanders.
5:32 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Paul Matey to be a US Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.
4:52 p.m. Senator Collins spoke about The Biologic Patent Transparency Act.
4:15 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about economic theory.
3:36 p.m. Senator Schumer spoke about the resolution to terminate the president’s emergency declaration. He spoke about the president”s 2020 budget request. He spoke about nominations. He spoke about administration policy on China trade.
3:12 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Green New Deal.
3:03 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the placement of holds on bills and nominations.
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The Senate will convene at 3:00 p.m. and resume consideration of the nomination of Paul Matey to be a US Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.
At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Matey nomination.
Majority Leader McConnell has also filed cloture on the below nominations. The cloture motions will be processed one at a time, after disposition of the previous nomination. Each is subject to up to thirty hours of post-cloture debate.
Neomi Rao to be a US Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit
William Beach to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor
5:29 p.m. The Senate adjourned until 3 p.m. Monday, when it will resume consideration of the Matey nomination. At 5:30 p.m., cloture petitions will ripen for the Matey, Rao and Beach nominations.
5:15 p.m. During wrap-up, the Senate consented to passage of S.725, to change the address of a postal facility. By voice vote, the Senate passed S.Res.101, supporting the goals of International Women’s Day.
First reading was given for S.729, regarding climate change.
3:46 p.m. Senator Peters spoke about trade.
2:23 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell filed cloture on the following nominations:
2:22 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Fleming nomination, 67-30.
Senators voting in favor: 51 Republicans, 15 Democrats (Cardin, Carper, Casey, Coons, Cortez Masto, Duckworth, Feinstein, Hassan, Manchin, Murphy, Reed, Rosen, Schumer, Shaheen and Whitehouse), 1 Independent: King.
Senators voting against: 29 Democrats, 1 Independent:Sanders.
Senator not voting: 2 Republicans: Moran and Perdue, 1 Democrat: Jones.
1:43 p.m. Roll call vote began on the nomination of John Fleming to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.
1:38 p.m Senator Carper spoke in favor of the nomination.
1:33 p.m. Senator Barrasso spoke on the nomination process and particularly the Fleming nomination to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development
1:23 p.m. Senator Cardin spoke on gun background checks.
1:11 p.m Senator Grassley spoke on tax season.
1:10 p.m. The Senate confirmed the Murphy nomination on a party line vote of 52-46.
Senators Jones (D) and Perdue (R) did not vote.
12:36 p.m. The Senate began voting on the nomination of Eric Murphy to be Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.
12:25 p.m. Senator Brown spoke against the Murphy nomination.
11:07 a.m. Senators Tillis and Cornyn spoke on border control.
10:46 a.m. Senator Murray spoke on health care.
10:40 a.m. Senator Capito spoke in support of the Fleming nomination.
10:32 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about health care.
9:53 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the Green New Deal. He spoke about election law. He spoke about
9:33 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell placed two measures on the calendar: H.R. 1271, regarding a Veterans Administration program for pre-medical students; H.R. 1381, regarding VA registries.
He spoke about the anti-Semitism measure in the House. He spoke about presidential nominations. He spoke about the House proposal on election law.
*****
The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. and will resume post-cloture consideration of the nomination of Eric E. Murphy to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.
Two votes are scheduled:
(Leader McConnell has withdrawn the cloture petition on Fleming)
6:37 p.m. The Senate has adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 7th and will resume consideration of the Murphy nomination post-cloture.
Two votes are scheduled:
During wrap-up:
****
6:32 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about net neutrality.
6:14 p.m. Senator Merkley spoke about the For the People Act.
5:58 p.m. Senator Udall spoke about the For the People Act.
5:29 p.m. Senator Carper spoke about Don Young and climate change.
5:16 p.m. Senator Sullivan spoke about the Alaskan of the Week, Don Young.
5:16 p.m. Cloture was invoked on the Murphy nomination by a vote of 53 to 46. Senator Manchin was absent.
4:37 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Eric E. Murphy to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.
4:35 p.m. The Readler nomination was confirmed by a vote of 52 to 47. Senator Collins voted NO and Senator Manchin was absent.
4:01 p.m. The Senate is now voting on the nomination of Chad A. Readler to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.
3:55 p.m. Senator Brown spoke against the Readler nomination.
3:42 p.m. Senator Coons paid tribute to departing staffer Franz Wuerfmannsdobler.
3:13 p.m. Senators Stabenow and Leahy spoke against the Readler nomination.
2:47 p.m. Senators Barrasso, Cramer and Boozman spoke on climate change.
2:37 p.m. Senator Markey and Democratic Leader Schumer spoke in favor of the green new deal.
2:00 p.m. Senators Young, Tillis, Blunt, Capito, Cramer and Sullivan spoke against the Green New Deal.
1:49 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about socialism and the Green New Deal.
1:39 p.m. Senator Ernst spoke against the Green New Deal.
1:26 p.m. Senator Cortez Masto spoke against the Readler nomination.
1:08 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the Green New Deal.
12:54 p.m. Senator Peters spoke against the Readler nomination.
12:41 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the border wall and military funding.
12:17 p.m. Senator Menendez spoke against the Readler nomination.
12:00 p.m. Senator Wyden spoke about the Readler nomination.
11:34 a.m. Senator Brown spoke about sentencing reform.
10:46 a.m. Senator Thune spoke about the Green New Deal.
10:36 a.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the Green New Deal, climate change and judicial nominations.
10:06 a.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about judicial nominations, the Green New Deal, and the House resolution on anti-semitism.
10:03 a.m. Senator Grassley spoke about the New Deal economic policies.
*****
The Senate will convene at 10 a.m. and will resume post-cloture debate on the nomination of Chad A. Readler to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.
At 4 p.m., the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Readler nomination.
Following disposition of the Readler nomination, the Senate vote on cloture for the nomination of Eric E. Murphy to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.
Senator McConnell has also filed cloture on the nomination of John Fleming to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. The cloture vote for Fleming will follow disposition of the Murphy nomination. Each is subject to up to thirty hours of post-cloture debate.